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Did They Deserve It? Adolescents’ Perception of Online Harassment in a Real-Case Scenario

Author

Listed:
  • Clarissa Cricenti

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandra Pizzo

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Quaglieri

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Emanuela Mari

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Pierluigi Cordellieri

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Cristina Bonucchi

    (State Police Postal and Communication Department, Ministry of the Interior, 00173 Rome, Italy)

  • Patrizia Torretta

    (State Police Postal and Communication Department, Ministry of the Interior, 00173 Rome, Italy)

  • Anna Maria Giannini

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Lausi

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Online harassment, particularly cyberbullying and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, is a widespread phenomenon among adolescents and young adults. Descriptive research was carried out to investigate any differences among Italian school classes in the perception of cybercrime through a real-case scenario. Following the Italian school system, the final sample of 1777 adolescents (Mage = 15.37, SD = 1.65; Male = 52%) was divided into three groups based on the school class attended: middle school ( N = 562; Mage = 13.37, SD = 0.48); high school biennium ( N = 728; Mage = 15.55, SD = 0.50), and triennium ( N = 487, Mage = 17.40, SD = 0.71). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire investigating the use of the Internet and the perception of a real case scenario involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and cyberbullying received by the National Centre for Combating Child Pornography Online (NCPO). Results showed differences among the three groups’ perceptions of the event’s features, motivations underlying the offense, victim-blaming and harassment justification (e.g., cyberbullying, in particular non-consensual sharing of intimate images, is recognized as a crime as age increases). The findings provide significant insights for future research and age-specific factors to consider when developing prevention programs for online risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Clarissa Cricenti & Alessandra Pizzo & Alessandro Quaglieri & Emanuela Mari & Pierluigi Cordellieri & Cristina Bonucchi & Patrizia Torretta & Anna Maria Giannini & Giulia Lausi, 2022. "Did They Deserve It? Adolescents’ Perception of Online Harassment in a Real-Case Scenario," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:17040-:d:1007534
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rafael Pichel & Mairéad Foody & James O’Higgins Norman & Sandra Feijóo & Jesús Varela & Antonio Rial, 2021. "Bullying, Cyberbullying and the Overlap: What Does Age Have to Do with It?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Muhammad Abdullah Avais & Dr. Aijaz Ali Wassan & Ms. Hameeda Narejo & Jameel Ahmed Khan, 2014. "Awareness Regarding Cyber Victimization among Students of University of Sindh, Jamshoro," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 4(5), pages 632-641, May.
    3. Patrizia Grifoni & Alessia D’Andrea & Fernando Ferri & Tiziana Guzzo & Maurizio Angeli Felicioni & Andrea Vignoli, 2021. "Against Cyberbullying Actions: An Italian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Bae, Sung-Man, 2021. "The relationship between exposure to risky online content, cyber victimization, perception of cyberbullying, and cyberbullying offending in Korean adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    5. Muhammad Abdullah Avais & Aijaz Ali Wassan & Hameeda Narejo & Jameel Ahmed Khan, 2014. "Awareness Regarding Cyber Victimization among Students of University of Sindh, Jamshoro," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 4(5), pages 632-641.
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