Article Review #2
Online Harassment and Cyberbullying
By: Vincent Saunders
11/3/2023
CYSE 201s
This article examines an important topic relating to principles from the social sciences. It explores how online harassment and cyberbullying disproportionately impact marginalized groups. The research questions aim to understand the types of online abuse faced by different demographic groups, and how membership in marginalized communities influences these experiences.
A mixed methods approach was utilized, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. An online survey gathered demographic information and self-reported experiences of online harassment from over 1,000 participants. This provided large-scale quantitative data on the prevalence of certain behaviors across gender and other identity groups. Qualitative data came from analysis of reported harassment incidents, giving deeper context and examples of the behaviors involved.
Combining both types of data allowed for a more comprehensive understanding, as the concepts from our PowerPoint explained. Quantitative data provided the “what” while qualitative data explained the “why” and “how”. This aligns with sociological approaches to research like using both macro and micro levels of analysis.
The findings indicate that women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities do in fact experience higher rates of online harassment and abuse, supporting the hypotheses. 1 in 3 women reported experiencing stalking, sexual harassment, or physical threats, compared to only 1 in 10 men. This relates directly to the real-world power imbalances and marginalization that these groups face offline as well.
The article contributes meaningful insights into the challenges faced by marginalized communities in virtual spaces. As we learned, the internet both reflects and sometimes amplifies existing social inequities. This study sheds light on how oppression and discrimination transfer into the digital realm. By bringing these issues to the forefront, it could help shape more inclusive policies and practices to support vulnerable groups.
In summary, this research effectively employed social science methods to examine an important topic with real implications for society. It provided compelling evidence that online spaces are not neutral, but rather influence and are influenced by the social inequities outside of them. This adds to our understanding of technology’s role in both perpetuating and potentially combating injustice.
https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/150/55