Adolescents' Positive and Negative Experiences With Communication Technology and How Adults Can Support Adolescents Who Experience Cyber Bullying

The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of: (1) how adolescents use communication technology to develop friendships; (2) how experiencing cyber bullying harms adolescents; (3) helpful and unhelpful ways adults respond to cyber bullying; and (4) how adults can provide needed support to adolescents who experience cyber bullying. Through their participation in interviews when they were in grade 10 (n=17) and again when they were in grade 12 (n=6), adolescents: discussed how they use communication technology to develop their friendships; shared how experiencing cyber bullying has harmed them and/or their peers; explained why they would or would not seek support from adults after experiencing cyber bullying; and provided insights into how adults can provide needed support to adolescents who experience cyber bullying. Implications for how parents or guardians, teachers, and principals can provide needed and wanted support to adolescents in their care who experience cyber bullying are discussed.