Off the radar and ubiquitous: text messaging and its relationship to ‘drama’ and cyberbullying in an affluent, academically rigorous US high school

Abstract

This mixed methods study explores text messaging in a suburban US high school. Survey questions were answered by students (mean age 16.0; SD = 1.23) regarding the prevalence of bullying and victimization via text messaging. Students and staff members responded to a survey item regarding perceptions of hostile text messaging. Both students and staff members participated in interviews or focus groups where they discussed bullying, student peer interactions, and social conflict. Prevalence for text messaging that was viewed as bullying was considerably lower than other published rates. Female students perceived more hostile text messaging than male students. Analysis of qualitative data suggests that texting contributes to conflict and to a phenomenon called ‘drama,’ and that conflict or ‘drama’ may lead to bullying.

Keywords:

• cyberbullying
• adolescent bullying
• adolescent aggression
• technically mediated communication
• text message
• texting

Notes

1. Cyberbullying includes bullying which uses cell phones and computers. While text messaging does not make use of the Internet, communication through computers does. Some cell phones have Internet access and thus bullying via the Internet can occur through the use of these mobile devices.

2. Students spontaneously talked about ‘drama’ when they were discussing how students get along with each other, what types of interactions produce conflict, and how they manage these issues.

3. In this context the word ‘fight’ refers to a non-physical conflict.