The Effects of Cyberbullying As It Relates to Social Media: a California High School Assistant Principal and High School Counselor Perspective
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Brandman University Brandman Digital Repository Dissertations 1-2020 The Effects of Cyberbullying as it Relates to Social Media: A California High School Assistant Principal and High School Counselor Perspective Rodney Stone Brandman University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.brandman.edu/edd_dissertations Part of the Business Commons, and the Education Commons Recommended Citation Stone, Rodney, "The Effects of Cyberbullying as it Relates to Social Media: A California High School Assistant Principal and High School Counselor Perspective" (2020). Dissertations. 300. https://digitalcommons.brandman.edu/edd_dissertations/300 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Brandman Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Brandman Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Effects of Cyberbullying as it Relates to Social Media: A California High School Assistant Principal and High School Counselor Perspective A Dissertation by Rodney C. Stone Brandman University Irvine, California School of Education Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership January 2020 Committee in charge: Keith Larick, Ed.D., Dissertation Chair Myrna Cote, Ed.D. Barbara Bartels, Ed.D. The Effects of Cyberbullying as it Relates to Social Media: A California High School Assistant Principal and High School Counselor Perspective Copyright © 2020 by Rodney C. Stone iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I want to give honor to our creator of life and through him, all blessings flow. Second, I would like to take a moment to recognize my dissertation committee chair, Dr. Keith Larick, who provided guidance and kept me moving in the right direction with his marching orders. To my cohort mentor, Dr. Myrna Cote, who kept me motivated and focused as I began this journey three years ago. To Dr. Barbara Bartels for her attention to detail to enable me to enhance my dissertation writing skills. Third, thanks to the members of my cohort, Irvine 1 Epsilon Inukshuks, for your motivation and teamwork. Additionally, I would like to thank the Jordan family who provided me the platform to achieve this level of success. Moreover, I want to thank the Brandman University faculty and staff for developing a doctoral program well defined in content to prepare leaders to create transformational change. iv ABSTRACT The Effects of Cyberbullying as it Relates to Social Media: A California High School Assistant Principal and High School Counselor Perspective by Rodney C. Stone Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the perceptions of high school assistant principals and high school counselors regarding the impact of cyberbullying on high school students in southern California. The study also sought to identify strategies and prevention programs essential to counteract cyberbullying as perceived by high school assistant principals and high school counselors. Methodology. A qualitative methodology was used with data collected through interviews and review of artifacts. High school assistant principals and high school counselors voiced their perspectives and personal views relative to the strategies and prevention methods to counteract cyberbullying. The interviews and artifacts were coded and analyzed for common themes and patterns. Findings. The findings revealed both high school assistant principals and high school counselors demonstrated efforts to counteract cyberbullying among current and future high school students to be better prepared for cyberbullying incidents. Both current and future students also need training in critical thinking processes that influence them to be resilient against cyberbullying. Conclusions. The results of this study found school districts need assistance in designing leadership development strategies and support systems for students to counteract cyberbullying. Suicide prevention and resiliency training programs are also needed for students and to develop critical thinkers within the community. v Recommendations. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended school districts implement a conflict resolution training program, increase the level of consequences for students who cyberbully, offer resiliency classes for students and parents, increase collaboration between high school assistant principals and high school counselors, implement mandatory suicide prevention classes in school orientations and parent workshops, hold students accountable for their behavior, provide peer-led training intervention and prevention events, increase the awareness and knowledge of netiquette among high school students, and help parents develop a plan to effectively monitor their child’s cell phone and internet activities. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 Background ................................................................................................................... 3 Emergence of Cyberbullying .................................................................................. 4 Impacts and Effects of Cyberbullying .................................................................... 5 Theoretical Foundations.......................................................................................... 6 Theoretical Frameworks ......................................................................................... 6 Federal Laws ........................................................................................................... 7 California State Laws .............................................................................................. 8 School Policies ........................................................................................................ 8 Role of High School Assistant Principal ................................................................ 9 Role of High School Counselors........................................................................... 10 Gap in the Literature ............................................................................................. 11 Statement of the Research Problem ............................................................................ 12 Purpose Statement ....................................................................................................... 14 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 14 Significance of the Problem ........................................................................................ 15 Definitions................................................................................................................... 16 Delimitations ............................................................................................................... 18 Organization of the Study ........................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .......................................................... 19 History of Bullying ..................................................................................................... 20 School Violence .................................................................................................... 23 Bullying in Schools ............................................................................................... 24 The Emergence of Cyberbullying ............................................................................... 25 Cyberbullying on Social Media .................................................................................. 28 Cyberbullying Behaviors ...................................................................................... 28 Personal Values ..................................................................................................... 31 Motives ................................................................................................................. 31 Social Media ......................................................................................................... 32 The Impact and Effects of Cyberbullying ................................................................... 33 Suicides ................................................................................................................. 34 Social Exclusion.................................................................................................... 35 Victim Mentality ................................................................................................... 36 Target Audience .................................................................................................... 37 Theoretical Foundations of Bullying .......................................................................... 38 Social Dominance Theory..................................................................................... 39 Humiliation Theory ............................................................................................... 40 Organizational Culture Theory ............................................................................. 40 Theoretical Frameworks ............................................................................................. 41 Social Disorganization Theory ............................................................................