Online program reduces bullying behavior in schools, tests show

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-04/cwru-opr042016.php

ublic Release: 20-Apr-2016
Online program reduces bullying behavior in schools, tests show
Case Western Reserve University

Behaviors that enable bullying--a significant public health problem for adolescents--were reduced among students who completed a new online anti-bullying program, according to a new study from Case Western Reserve University.

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After completing the program--which addresses verbal, physical, sexual and cyberbullying--students reported significantly reduced odds of bystander passivity to both emotional and physical bullying. Use of healthy relationship skills also increased significantly.

Most anti-bullying programs are taught as a curriculum in-person and have proven to be a hard sell to schools pressed to complete compulsory coursework and testing. They have also yielded mixed results but have been especially ineffective for non-white students and students in eighth grade and higher.

"We have to go where the kids are, instead of telling them where they should be," said Timmons-Mitchell. "We do that by using new technology."

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All states have laws and/or policies that require schools to provide a mechanism to address bullying.

"Any participation in bullying can affect youth negatively. Being both a bully and a victim can lead to depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts," said Timmons-Mitchell, adding that perpetrators of bullying are more likely to commit crimes as young adults.

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Users are given individualized guidance matched to their bullying experiences, including an emphasis on six healthy relationship skills:

Using calm, nonviolent ways to deal with disagreements (leaving the room to cool down, for example);
Respecting the boundaries of others;
Communicating feelings and needs clearly and respectfully;
Making decisions in social situations that are right for each person;
Respecting the feelings and needs of other people;
How to appropriately take a stand to stop bullying.

Studies have shown that adolescents especially respond more honestly to questions delivered by computers than on paper, Timmons-Mitchell said.

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