Cyberbullying intervention: a case study analysis of stakeholder perceptions regarding the authority of school administrators in addressing cyberbullying issues

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Date
2012
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Publisher
University of Alabama Libraries
Abstract

Cyberbullying is a growing phenomenon affecting victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. Schools and school officials are also affected by cyberbullying, faced with the responsibility of addressing issues that manifest from cyberbullying. Previous literature has identified strategies for school use in addressing cyberbullying, including forming stakeholder partnerships, implementing cyberbullying education and awareness programs, and applying disciplinary action. Opponents question school administrators' authority in addressing cyberbullying with disciplinary action, raising concern about the potential violation of student rights. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to better understand how cyberbullying affects school system stakeholders and gather ideas about how school officials should properly address it. The researcher in this case study collected and analyzed stakeholder perceptions regarding cyberbullying effects upon their school system and how schools should address it. This school system is located in southeastern U.S. The researcher used focus group interviews to collect data from four stakeholder groups: school administrators, school counselors, parents, and external authorities. The researcher used content analysis to identify significant data; and organized, reported, and discussed the results in two distinct ways: 1) grouping results based on their connection to the study's research questions, and 2) grouping results into five themes through the use of thematic coding. The discussion of results, implications for stakeholders, and recommendations for future research are based on data connections with the research questions and the development of the five themes. The results, stakeholder implications, and recommendations for future research include ideas regarding stakeholder partnerships, education and awareness programs, school disciplinary action, parental supervision and control, and other ideas concerning stakeholder relationships and trust.

Description
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
Keywords
Educational administration, Education policy, Educational leadership
Citation