Technology has, without a doubt, altered the social fabric of society. Mediated forms of communication have paved the way for more efficient production, and the vast amount of information available online has given people the opportunity to be more informed than ever. However, the rise of mediated communication has also presented a number of new threats. The current study focused on one of these threats, cyberbullying, and was interested in looking at how parents talk about and understand their child's cyberbullying behavior. This study had the goal of uncovering if parents talk to their child about cyberbullying, and how they approach these conversations. The intent of this study was was grounded in the idea that parent-child communication is a valuable tool for developing belief systems, as well as making sustainable, positive and effective changes to behavior and perceptions. Ultimately, parents do not avoid conversations about cyberbullying with their children. Parents structure these conversations with the intention of positively changing their child's behavior and beliefs. Specifically, parents talk about cyberbullying with their children as an effort to decrease the perceived risk their child faces if he or she participates in cyberbullying. However, these conversations are limited because they are grounded in misrepresented media coverage of cyberbullying which intensifies cyberbullying behaviors. As such, media producers must work toward presenting more all encompassing and wide spread coverage of cyberbullying as an effort to educate parents about the variety of behaviors which relate to cyberbullying.

Social media and platforms utilise moderation to removeunwanted content such as cyberbullying, an aggressive acttowards an individual or group that occurs over any type ofdigital technology, e.g. social platforms. However,moderating platforms manually is nearly impossible, and thedemand for automatic moderation is rising. Research ontechnical solutions for cyberbullying detection on socialplatforms is scarce and is mostly focused on MachineLearning models to detect cyberbullying without theconnection to platform moderation. This study aims toenhance the research on cyberbullying detection models byusing a GPT-3 Large Language model and reduce the gap toplatform moderation. The model is tweaked and tested todetect cyberbullying using popular cyberbullying datasetsand compared to previous Machine Learning- and LargeLanguage models using common performance metrics.Furthermore, the latency of the model is measured to test if itcan be used as an auto-moderation tool to detectcyberbullying on social platforms. The results show that themodel is on par with the previous models and that finetuning a Large Language model is the preferred way totweak the model in cyberbullying detection. Further, theresults show that Large Language models have higherlatency than Machine Learning models but can be improvedby using multiple threads and can be used as a platformmoderation tool to detect cyberbullying.

Thesis (M.A. (Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / In this study, the exposure and effects of cyberbullying on students at the University of Limpopo (UL) were explored. Furthermore, this study looked into the forms of cyberbullying that students were exposed to, the consequences of cyberbullying on victims, the relationship between the cyberbully and the cybervictim, the profile of typical victims, the reasons why students were reluctant to report cyberbullying incidents and the causes of cyberbullying. This study implemented a qualitative research approach. The fifteen participants were selected by means of non-probability purposive sampling. The researcher interviewed these participants guided by the Interview Schedule Guide and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to solicit to share their personal experiences of cyberbullying. Nine (09) participants were interviewed through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and only the other Six (06) participants formed part of One (01) FGD. The findings of this study were as follows; on the forms of cyberbullying, sexting was found to be the most victimisation that students experienced, students were mostly likely to be cyberbullied by someone they know rather than just a stranger, students experienced negative side effects of cyberbullying, ranging from psychological and academical. Females also experienced more cyberbullying as compared to males. Based on the findings of this study, the following recomendations are made; that there should be improved support for research that examines factors contributing to this type of bullying, in particular dealing with the students. There should also be an educational programme that informs people of cyberbullying and what constitutes cyberbullying. This could be done by educating people about cyberbullying and also by offering students counselling sessions. In addition, this method will help lecturers, parents and counsellors informed about the changing face of technology. One of the efficient approaches can educate students on how to resolve the online bullying without retaliating, encourage youth to reveal their experiences to relevant stakeholders and universities to invent codes of conduct and other policies that tackle cyberbullying. Online bullying prevention strategies should be incorporated in the campus curriculum and should also include substantive instruction on cyberbullying.

Suicid är en global folkhälsofråga och enligt World Health Organization (WHO) dör cirka 703 000 personer till följd av suicid varje år. Statistiken från 2019 klargör att suiciden var dödsorsaken för 1/3 del av alla dödsfall. Från WHO data insamlingar framkommer att suicid är den vanligaste dödsorsaken och leder toppen med flera dödsfall än malaria, bröstcancer, mord, krig eller HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization, 2019).Trenden i världen under senaste 2 (två) dekader är minskning med 36 % av suicidantalet och detta sker i de flesta åldersgrupper. Undantaget från denna trend är åldersgruppen 15 – 24 där suicidantalet har ökat (Suicide worldwide in 2019). Till exempel, i Sverige har suicidantalet ökat med 1% per år samt i USA har ökat med 21% i intervallet 2000 – 2015 (Hinduja & Patchin, 2018). Bris - Barnens rätt i samhället (2022) anmärker samma ökande trend i jämförelse med föregående år, där samtalet om suicid har ökat med 87%. Denna situation är oroande både nationellt och internationellt och får att kunna fastställa vilka faktorer som leder till detta oönskade fenomen, har forskare med olika inriktningar undersökt vilka omständigheter kopplas med den ökande suicidtrend bland tonåringar.  Syfte: att hitta om det finns likheter och/eller skillnader i tonåringarnas suicidsbeteende relaterat till nätmobbning, som kan kopplas till sociodemografiska faktorer som ålder och genus.  Metod: systematisk litteraturöversikt av sexton akademiska artiklar med kvantitativ ansats.Litteraturöversikt inriktning är narrativ analys och de inkluderade artiklarna har analyserats utifrån en manifest innehållsanalys. Resultat: I de analyserade studierna har identifierats 2 (två) kategorier av suicidbeteende relaterade till nätmobbning och som har analyserats i samband med socio-demografiska faktorer såsom kön och ålder. Som resultat framkommer att nätmobbnings offer har en ökad risk för suicidbeteende oavsett kön och ålder jämfört med icke – mobbade tonåringar. Slutsats: Bland tonåringarna runt om i världen framkommer några likheter i deras suicidala beteende rapporterat till nätmobbning, som till exempel att kvinnorna blir oftare nätmobbningsoffer än männen och samtidigt upplever de en högre risk för suicidbeteende. / Suicide is a global public health issue and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) approximately 703,000 people die because of suicide each year. Statistics from 2019 clarify that suicide was the cause of death for 1/3 of all death’s world around. WHO data collections show that suicide is the most common cause of death and leads to more deaths than malaria, breast cancer, murder, war, or HIV / AIDS (World Health Organization, 2019).The trend in the world over the last 2 (two) decades is a reduction of 36% in the number of suicides and this occurs in most age groups. The exception to this trend is the age group 15 - 24 where the number of suicides has increased (Suicide worldwide in 2019). For example, in Sweden the suicide rate has increased by 1% per year and in the US has increased by 21% in the interval 2000 - 2015 (Hinduja & Patchin, 2018). Bris - Children's rights in society (2022) notes the same increasing trend in comparison with the previous year, where the conversation about suicide has increased by 87%. This situation is worrying both nationally and internationally and to determine what factors lead to this undesirable phenomenon, researchers with different orientations have examined what circumstances are linked to the increasing suicide trend among teenagers. Aim: to find similarities and / or differences in adolescents' suicidal behavior related to cyberbullying, which can be linked to sociodemographic factors such as age and gender. Method: systematic literature review of sixteen academic articles with a quantitative approach. Literature overview focus is narrative analysis and the articles included have been analyzed based on a manifest content analysis. Results: The analyzed studies have identified 2 (two) categories of suicidal behavior reported to cyberbullying that have been analyzed in connection with socio-demographic factors such as gender and age. As a result, cyberbullying victims have an increased risk of suicidal behavior regardless of gender and age compared to non-bullied teens. Conclusion: Among teenagers around the world, there are some similarities in their suicidal behavior reported to cyberbullying, such as the fact that women are more often victims of cyberbullying than men and at the same time, they experience a higher risk of suicidal behavior.

Over the recent years, we have seen an immense increase in technology. Though the Internet can be convenient to students, it can also bear negative repercussions. Cyberbullying has impacted millions of people across the nation hindering them in many ways. The Bullying occurs through different outlets, from websites, emails to text messages. Victims cannot truly escape the matter because it follows them wherever they may go. The intent of this thesis was to see who the victims of cyberbullying are, what the aftermath effect is, and whether they notify an adult about their situation. Using data from the School Crime Supplement based on the National Crime Victimization Survey, the findings suggest that females are victims of cyber bullying more frequently than males and that adults are not commonly notified when victimization occurs. Furthermore, the repercussions of victimization include fear of harm or attack, as well as skipping classes to avoid the problem. By exploring cyberbullying and its effect, through time studies such as this one will raise awareness in society and contribute towards the solution of cyberbullying.

Digital technologies has become the leading way for individuals to communicate, but despite its many advances it may also be misused for harmful behaviors. Over the last decade cyberbullying has become a serious social health problem worldwide. It has been estimated that roughly 20 to 40% of all adolescents will experience at least one act of cyberbullying. Even though an extensive amount of research has been carried out some uncertainties remains, for instance whether there are any gender differences in experiences. The overarching aim with the current review was to analyze the role of gender in cyberbullying victimization among European adolescents. The specific aspects explored were gender differences in victimization and misused technological platforms. In order to achieve the aim a systematic review of recent evidence was carried out. Based on established inclusion criteria searches for both published and non-published articles were made in the databases of EBSCOhost, ProQuest and other sources. The selection process identified seven eligible studies that were included for analysis. The prevalence rate of cyberbullying victimization was ranging from 5% to 28%, with one study reporting higher frequencies. The findings implied a slightly higher likelihood among girls. However, the technological platforms used for victimization were similar for both boys and girls, some of the more frequently misused platforms were social networking sites, instant messaging and text messages. The review findings suggest prevention strategies are directed toward the most popular technological environments, with a somewhat stronger emphasis on girls.

The master’s thesis is dedicated to studying of coping strategies with cyberbullying among adolescents. The correlational study discovered the connection between self-esteem level and tendency to apply the social support strategy, along with cognitive avoidance. Previous experience as cyberbully or cybervictim affects the choice of the coping strategy. Remarkable positive correlations are discovered between level of cyberbullying stress and choosing technical coping and behavioral avoidance. These results put forward the question of further research of coping strategies in certain cyberbullying situations and forms, depending on self-esteem and self-efficacy of the person. / Магистерская диссертация посвящена изучению стратегий совладания с кибербуллингом в молодежной среде. Корреляционное исследование позволило выявить связь между уровнем самооценки и предпочтением стратегии поиска социальной поддержки, а также стратегией когнитивного избегания. На предпочтение конкретной копинг-стратегии оказывает влияние также опыт участия в кибербуллинге в роли жертвы или агрессора. Выявлены также значимые положительные корреляции между переживаниями в ситуациях кибербуллинга и предпочтением технических копинг-стратегий и поведенческого избегания. Результаты ставят вопрос о дальнейших исследованиях стратегий совладания в конкретных ситуациях и формах кибербуллинга в зависимости от уровня самооценки и самоэффективности личности.

After more than two decades, bullying and cyberbullying is still negatively impacting the lives of many of our youth and their families. The prevalence of the phenomenon is widespread and part of the everyday life activities. The impact of cyber aggression and violation can have severe consequences, up to the destruction of lives. While cyberbullying prevention programs exist, not much progress seems to have been made in the effort to combat the phenomenon. This research provides new insights into how to extract information by using existing research and online news articles, with the aim to create new or improve existing cyberbullying prevention efforts. The intent is to inform prevention programs.

Näthat är ett fenomen som oftast fokuserar på barn och unga i diskussioner och forskning. Det finns enavsaknad av forskning om näthat mot anställda inom offentliga organisationer. Syftet med den härstudien är att undersöka personers upplevelser av att bli utsatt för näthat i deras yrkesroll ochhanteringen av detta från arbetsgivarens sida. Målet med den här studien är att vara ett stöd för deorganisationer som vill ta fram policys och riktlinjer för att motverka och stötta medarbetare som blirutsatta för näthat. Materialet som samlas in i den här undersökningen kommer att analyseras utifrån tidigare forskning ochteorier. Studien förhåller sig till teorier om kön, media, makt, beteende och organisation, samt tidigareforskning om kön, rättsväsendet och den offentliga yrkesrollen. Det är en kvalitativ undersökning där sex intervjuer med två politiker, tre tjänstepersoner och en HRchef har genomförts. Material från två tidigare intervjuer används också i analysen, vilket har godkäntsav respektive intervjudeltagare. Materialet som har samlats in visar att det finns brister i hurorganisationer hanterar när en anställd blir utsatt för näthat. Det framkommer att informanterna harsjälva blivit utsatta eller haft en kollega som blivit utsatt för näthatsdrev. HR upplevs som frånvarandeoch det finns en önskan om annan typ av stöttning från organisationen när ett näthatsdrev drar i gång.Analys framhäver även att det skiljer sig mellan könen i och med att kvinnor i högre grad utsätts försexistiska kommentarer och blir mer personligt påhoppade än män. Det framkommer även att män tillstörsta del står bakom hatkommentarer på nätet. / Cyberbullying is a phenomenon that usually focuses on children and young people in discussions andresearch. There is a lack of research on cyberbullying toward employees in public organizations. Thepurpose of this study is to investigate person’s experiences of being exposed to cyberbullying in theirprofessional roles and the handling of this on the part of the employer. The goal of this study is to be asupport for the organizations that want to develop policies and guidelines to counteract and supportemployees who are exposed to cyberbullying. The material collected in this study will be analyzed based on previous research and theories. The studyrelates to theories of gender, media, power, behavior and organization and previous research on gender,the law, and the public professional role. This study uses a qualitative method where six interviews have been conducted with two politicians,three civil servants and one HR manager. Material from two previous interviews is also used in theanalysis, which has been approved by the respective interview participants. The material that has beencollected shows that there are shortcomings in how organizations handle a case when an employee isexposed to cyberbullying. It appears that the informants themselves have been exposed or have had acolleague who has been exposed to cyberbullying. HR is perceived as absent and there is a desire for adifferent type of support from the organization. The analysis also highlights that there are differencesbetween the sexes in that women ar exposed to sexist comments to a greater extent and are morepersonally attacked than men. It also appears that men mostly stand for condescending comments.

This research study was conducted to determine if there were significant differences or relationships between teachers' perceptions of knowledge of Internet dangers to students and factors such as demographics, self-reported comfort levels with Internet use, and with knowledge of policies and laws regarding Internet safety. Three hundred seventy-two teachers from three central Florida school districts were surveyed using an adapted survey developed by authors Patchin and Hinduja (2006) and Willard (2006, 2009). The world of the Internet is constantly changing, and students will encounter harassment and dangers while pursuing their interests on line. Recent research on the types of Internet dangers involving youth (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009; Juvonen & Gross, 2008, Leichtling, 2008; Lenhart, Madden & Hitlin, 2005; Li, 2007; Willard, 2009), and evidence supporting limited adult knowledge of Internet dangers to youth (Finkelhor, Mitchell & Wolak, 2000; Hinduja & Patchin, 2009; Patchin & Hinduja, 2006; Willard, 2006,2009) provided the conceptual framework for this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to investigate each research question. These statistics included one-way ANOVA, Scheffe post-hoc analysis, chi-square tests of independence, independent T-tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. These findings demonstrated that the null hypotheses were rejected for each research question. Significant differences were found between teachers' knowledge of Internet dangers and age, years of experience, level of school taught, and personal comfort with the Internet. Other significant relationships were found between personal Internet comfort and knowledge of laws and policies, specifically the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, and between male teachers and knowledge of victim behaviors. Gender was the only demographic variable found to be not significantly related to a teachers' knowledge of Internet dangers to students. The implications of these results validate the importance of more teacher training to increase knowledge of Internet dangers, policies and programs, as well as increase teachers' ability to identify victims and provide them with assistance. As technology expands, Internet dangers for children online expand and are a growing concern for parents, teachers, and administrators. Since technology will continue to grow, adults play a major role in educating children concerning the dangers of being online. However, adults struggle to play catch-up to the young digital natives, and are not really present to intervene when needed. We cannot cross the digital divide and help our students if we are not seeking out the information ourselves (Willard, 2009).