Cybersurvey 2

The cybersurvey II ran from 1- 30 November 2011

About the Cybersurvey by Youthworks for Reach

Bullying is changing – new technology has brought new tools to age-old behaviour and provided new ways of victimising someone remotely, twenty four hours a day.

This survey was planned to find out the extent of cyberbullying and cyber abuse experienced by young people aged 10 – 16 and 17+ and their use of e-safety advice. A set of questions were developed to elicit responses on homophobic bullying online and using mobiles and handheld devices. Prejudice driven bullying can escalate into hate crime and this survey aimed to explore the nature of the behaviour among young people using new technology.

It was a simple online survey to keep costs down and to enable it to be answered quickly and efficiently in schools. The Reach Cybersurvey II results have yielded vital information on the extent of homophobic, sexist and cyberbullying in participating areas.

How does it work?

The survey was placed on an encrypted site and each local authority was given a code which they gave to schools, colleges or services within their LA area who would like to take part. It was not possible to enter the survey without these codes.

Young respondents were not identified other than by the time and date and IP address of the computer they were using. If someone revealed that they might be in danger personally, or a risk to others, we would contact the local authority immediately with these details.

The Cybersurvey was undertaken on behalf of the Reach project, funded by the Big Lottery and there were no costs to local authorities or schools. In this round, the survey carried additional questions to identify the extent of homophobic bullying online and by mobile phone, which is an issue of concern.

Entry entitles each local authority to the following:

• One local report, outlining respondents’ experiences online and via mobile phones, plus their views on the e-safety education they have received. This contains details of gender and age patterns, an analysis of those who are Cyberbullied and their responses compared to peers. There will be additional analysis of Homophobic bullying. The questions cannot be changed in order that we can compare the data from all the local authority areas we hold. This will build a meaningful data base from which all will benefit. There is no limit to the number of schools or groups that can take part, but we are not providing individual data to schools at this stage.

• If individual schools or colleges require their own data, this is available for a fee and schools are asked to contact us at the start of the process.

• In our reports no school or college will be identified or singled out in any way.

• Local Authorities can choose to remain anonymous or to be accredited.

How was it developed?

The questions were developed by Adrienne Katz, director of Youthworks. Adrienne is the author of ‘Bullying In Britain’ with associates from the University of Oxford (2000) and ‘Safe To Play’ DMBC (2008). Adrienne helped develop DCSF guidance on bullying: ‘Bullying involving children and young people with SEN and Disabilities’ and the suite of guidance on tackling bullying in the community: ‘Safe From Bullying’. (2008 and 2009). Further work for the DCSF was the resource for the DVD ‘Make Them Go Away’. Adrienne has worked as an Anti Bullying Alliance Regional Adviser for seven years and is the author of a range of titles and training materials.

Questions used in this survey were submitted for approval to:

• A local authority e-safety champion and colleagues on a Safeguarding board
• A local authority anti bullying lead and a youth participation officer
• A school improvement adviser
• A Community Safety officer with responsibility for bullying and anti-social behaviour
• A young people’s decision-making group and a young Shadow Safeguarding board.
• Four local authority Anti-Bullying Leads

After several rounds of amendments, the questionnaire was piloted with 158 young people and further amended. It has deliberately been kept short and easy to do, so that several pupils can do it online in one lesson period.

In the first phase in autumn term 2009 four local authorities participated, followed soon by a fifth in early 2010.  We have over 7000 respondents to date.

If you have any queries about the cybersurvey please contact: Youthworks 0208 979 4991