Safety for the citizens of cyber space

This review paper contributes to the understanding of cyber bullying and its antidote cyber safety. It summarises the research and key themes, unpacks the complexity of the issue and discusses implications for practice.
Globally, cyber bullying has developed into a concern for governments, protection agencies and educational authorities. They have dedicated substantial funding for the development of educational resources and the provision of electronic prevention software. In spite of these significant commitments, cyber bullying has increased in Australia, Canada, UK and USA between 2000 and 2008 and is continuing to be a wide spread phenomenon.
In Australia, an in-depth study of over 1000 children between 8 and 17 years of age shows how technology fit into their lives, for example a computer is owned by 98 % of Australian families, nine in ten families now have the internet and 76 % have broadband. There is at least one mobile phone in every family; most families have three mobile phones. (Australian Communications and Media Authority, 2007).
Given this technology saturation, the need for increased measures to ensure safe and beneficial experiences for children and adolescents through networked and mobile communications is argued.

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Safety for the citizens of cyberspace (full paper for refereeing)(156 KB)

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