Cyberbullying Prevention and Intervention: Current Practices in Schools

Abstract

Recent studies have found that increasing numbers of students are experiencing cyberbullying during middle and high school. The current study examined how school psychologists and school counselors are involved in the prevention and intervention of cyberbullying, as well as what practices schools are implementing to address this issue. School counselors were more involved than school psychologists with cyberbullying prevention and intervention efforts. However, about half of school psychologists felt their skills were being underutilized and expressed a desire to be more involved in cyberbullying prevention and intervention efforts. A majority of participants reported that their schools are currently using reactive rather than proactive cyberbullying prevention and intervention strategies. Schools may benefit from examining their current cyberbullying prevention and intervention practices to ensure the use of proactive approaches as well as ensuring the utilization of all qualified staff to address this issue.