Abstract

The study identified incidents of cyberbullying in Illinois public schools with a focus on digital interactive devices such as cell phones and Web 2.0 applications and the actions taken in cyberbullying incidents as reported by Illinois principals during the 2007-2008 school year and Fall of 2008. Data for the study were collected by using a survey instrument of forms of cyberbullying, digital devices and Web 2.0 applications used in cyberbullying incidents and the actions taken by the principal. The survey was administered online through a website called SurveyMonkey. A random sample of 1000 public school principals in Illinois was surveyed for the study.

Findings show that cyberbullying incidents have occurred in Illinois public schools during the 2007-2008 school year and the Fall of 2008. The most frequent forms of cyberbullying were name calling and spreading rumors. Digital interactive devices or Web 2.0 applications most frequently used in cyberbullying incidents were cell phone text messaging, cell phone voices messages, and text postings at social networking sites. The most frequent actions taken by principals in cyberbullying incidents involved conferences with the victim and conferences with the bully. The study filled a research void in the area of cyberbullying. Lacking were data examining cyberbullying from the school principals' perspectives. These data inform school leaders, politicians, and community members regarding the problem of cyberbullying in Illinois public schools.