Abstract

Incidents of online harassment are increasing and can have significant consequences for victims. Witnesses (or ‘digital bystanders’) can be crucial in identifying and challenging harassment. This study considered when and how young adults intervene online. Eight focus groups were conducted with a community sample of 67 young adults (18-25 years), recruited via an approved marketing agency in two urban locations. Through a thematic analysis, five themes were generated: Noticing and Interpreting the Harassment, Perceived Responsibility for Helping, Consequences of Intervening, Perceived Ability to Make a Difference & Deciding How to Help (Type of Intervention). As with offline contexts, bystanders intervene when the situation is unambiguous, the harassment is severe, and when they know the victim. Participants used a range of intervention strategies varying in visibility and effort; preferring ‘indirect’ micro-interventions focused on supporting victims. We discuss implications regarding the design and messaging of Social Networking Sites (SNS).

About Anna:

Anna has a BSc in Applied Psychology from the University of Durham, followed by an MSc in Social and Organisational Psychology at the University of Exeter, where her thesis was on the topic of Indirect Aggression. She has worked as a Research Fellow at Exeter University under Alex Haslam, where her research publications focused on social identity amongst leaders.

Currently, Anna is undertaking a PhD at The University of Bath (supervised by Prof. Adam Joinson and Prof. Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis) examining ‘Digital Bystanders: Lowering the barriers and encouraging bystander intervention within online settings’. This is a mixed methods PhD to understand and ultimately decrease the barriers of bystander intervention with Computer Mediated Communications (CMC). This is a PhD by publication whereby the qualitative findings (focus group research) will inform the design of an online simulation intervention aiming to increase rates of bystander intervention.