From the Sandbox to the Inbox: Comparing the Acts, Impacts, and Solutions of Bullying in K-12, Higher Education, and the Workplace

As research advances in the areas of bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment in various sectors, it is a useful endeavour to consider the connections between research studies conducted in what may appear to be parallel spheres. In this paper, we examine the similarities and differences between research on bullying, harassment, and especially cyberbullying in the K-12, higher education, and general workplace sectors. First, we review the research literature on the nature and extent of these issues, taking into account variations in conceptual definitions, types of experiences, distinctions between different socio-demographic groups, underreporting, and prevalence rates. Next, we consider the range of impacts reported in the different areas. Finally, we examine the solutions proposed within each of these research literatures. Despite some contextual differences between the K-12, higher education, and workplace sectors, there are many commonalities among them in terms of the acts, impacts, and solutions, thus suggesting the need for a more concerted approach to these problems and a cross-pollination of ideas between the sectors for solutions.