Cyberbullying in Portuguese Schools: Prevalence and Characteristics

ABSTRACT

This study examined the extent and nature of cyberbullying in 23 Portuguese schools. A sample of 3,525 sixth-, eighth-, and eleventh-grade students completed a self-response questionnaire assessing their perceptions and experiences of cyberbullying. The findings showed that 7.6% of students have been victimized, and 3.9% have bullied others at least once over the last year. The incidences of victimization were higher for females and for the older students. In contrast, more boys reported having bullied others in the eleventh grade. The most frequent medium of cyberbullying was via websites, whilst sending offensive messages was the most widely reported type of behavior. Telling someone about cyberbullying is among the most frequent coping strategies used by cybervictims, who usually chose to tell their friends rather than adults. Implications of these findings for students, schools, and parents are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Bullies
• coping strategies
• cyberbullying
• media
• victims

Funding

This work was elaborated in the context of the project Cyberbullying—A Diagnosis of the Situation in Portugal (Reference PTDC/CPE-CED/108563/2008), which was funded by the European Community Fund FEDER, within the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and by the Foundation for Science and Technology. The findings and views expressed are the sole responsibility of their authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was elaborated in the context of the project Cyberbullying—A Diagnosis of the Situation in Portugal (Reference PTDC/CPE-CED/108563/2008), which was funded by the European Community Fund FEDER, within the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and by the Foundation for Science and Technology. The findings and views expressed are the sole responsibility of their authors.