Friendship at Any Cost: Parent Perspectives on Cyberbullying Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

ABSTRACT

Bullying affects approximately 40% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Cyberbullying, a type of bullying facilitated by electronic devices, may be particularly worrisome for parents of children with IDD as constant monitoring is difficult. In this study, ten parents of Special Olympics Maryland athletes completed a survey and participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interview questions were based on the routine activities theory, whichposits that crime requires a vulnerable target, motivated offender, and lack of effective monitoring. Sixty percent of parents reported that their child with IDD had been bullied at school and, although quantitative analysis indicated no cyberbullying exposure, qualitative analysis implied two children had been cyberbullied. Results suggest parents perceive that individuals with IDD are vulnerable to cyberbullying, require constant monitoring, and have unique resource needs. Cyberbullying is an important health issue for those with IDD; additional research and targeted resources are needed.

KEYWORDS:

• Bullying
• cyberbullying
• intellectual and developmental disabilities
• parents
• routine activities theory
• Special Olympics Maryland

Acknowledgments

This study would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the dedicated staff and the loving parents at Special Olympics Maryland. A special thank you to Susan Holland, Nathanial Garland, Kelly Cox, and Carol Whiting for their enthusiastic support of this research and their assistance in recruiting parents.