Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Background and Purpose: Children and youth use electronic technology such as the Internet more than any other medium, to communicate and engage in relationships (Kaynay & Yelsma, 2000; Nie & Hillygus, 2002). While most interactions on the Internet, e-mail, instant messaging, and web cams are neutral or positive (Finkelhor, Mitchell, & Wolak, 2000), the accessibility and anonymity of electronic technology may place children and youth at heightened risk for victimization (Ybarra & Mitchell, 2004). To understand the phenomenon of cyber abuse (online abuse encompassing a wide range of activities including cyber bullying, stalking, sexual solicitation, and pornography), we analyzed anonymous postings made by children and youth to a website of a national toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone and web counselling, referral and information service for children and youth. The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of children and youth who post concerns and questions related to cyber abuse. Methods: We utilized a phenomenological approach to understand the meanings of experiences of cyber abuse for the children and youth (Moran 2000; Moustakes 1994). From March 2004 to September 2005, children and youth posted over 35,000 anonymous messages to the Website. Of these posts, a criterion sample was employed by searching for terms related to cyber abuse, including for example “bullying,” “porn,” “msn,” “cyber,” etc. Saturation was achieved with 190 verbatim postings, which were included in the final analysis. Through the methodology of reduction, we analyzed postings for individual descriptions of cyber abuse, which generated general meanings, and ultimately the essence of the experiences (Creswell, 1998). To ensure the meaning reflected the postings, the researchers “bracketed” their prejudgments of the phenomenon (Moustakes, 1994) and examined the postings repeatedly and from various perspectives. Results: The postings were made by children and youth residing across Canada between the ages of 11-24 years (average of 14 years), 77% of whom were female. The children and youth described intense online relationships and identified four main types of cyber abuse: bullying, stalking, exposure to pornography, and solicitation to engage in online sexual acts. Analysis of the postings revealed detrimental effects on the children and youth as a result of cyber abuse, including depression, self-harm, guilt and shame, and withdrawal from peers and family. Coping techniques included denying the seriousness of the experience, avoiding the perpetrator, and acting aggressively towards others online. The majority had not spoken to an adult and their posting appeared to be their first attempt to seek help. Implications for Practice: Anonymous postings on the website of a national counseling service provide rich descriptions and insight into cyber abuse. This research underscores the importance and meanings of online relationships for the children and youth. Different forms of cyber abuse emerged, which affected the children's and adolescents' emotional and social functioning. As the children and youth expressed marked reluctance to turn to adults, it is particularly important for social workers to be aware of and pay attention to the phenomenon and consequences of cyber abuse, in prevention and intervention activities.