Protecting Oneself from Cyber Bullying on Social Media Sites – a Study of Undergraduate Students

In recent years social networking sites have become prominent forums for individuals to communicate with one another; some would say it is their lifeline for being connecting with others. Individuals with access to computers with wireless connections can connect in parallel universes, anywhere, anytime. While most online interactions are considered positive or neutral, one negative consequence is the exposure/perpetration to cyber bullying (Tokunaga, 2010). Thus, as social media sites become more integral to the lives of adults, systems and behaviours directed toward protecting oneself from cyber bullying need to be identified. The findings reported here form a part of a larger study examining the prevalence rates of cyber bullying on social networking sites. This paper reports 254 undergraduate students’ perspectives on protecting oneself from cyber bullying on social media sites. Data encompassed three groups – bullies, victims and observers; fell into 4 categories: Internet Service Providers; Public Education and Media Awareness; Formal and Informal support; Reporting; and encompassed the life world of individuals (Glasser, 1998). Within this life world, action was recommended at different systematic levels of society – community, family and individual.