Online social networks as a source of bullying

Mladi so kot prostor za druženje in igro zapustili šolska dvorišča in igrišča. Druženje se je preselilo na spletna družbena omrežja, kamor mladi dostopajo prek mobilnih telefonov, tablic in računalnikov. Spletna družbena omrežja pa poleg druženja, zabave in igre mladi izkoriščajo tudi za širjenje znanja in izmenjavo učnih gradiv. Prek spleta je mladim omogočeno brezplačno komuniciranje z drugimi osebami ter s tem ohranjanje prijateljskih, sorodstvenih in partnerskih vezi prek vsega sveta. Nasilni fantje in hudobna dekleta so prisotni med mladimi že od nekdaj. Informacijska tehnologija jim je zdaj dala popolnoma novo platformo za svoja zlonamerna dejanja. V magistrskem delu sem s pregledom relevantne literature najprej razložila razliko med tradicionalnim in spletnim medvrstniškim nasiljem. Osredinila sem se na oblike spletnega medvrstniškega nasilja, ki se pojavljajo na različnih družbenih omrežjih. V nadaljevanju sem opredelila pomembnost delovanja institucij v prevenciji, soočanju in spopadanju s spletnim nasiljem. Za predstavitev, kako smo s problematiko spletnega nasilja soočeni v Sloveniji, sem izvedla intervjuje s predstavniki institucij, ki se v Sloveniji ukvarjajo s spletnim nasiljem. V sklepni razpravi sem ugotovila, da je tudi pri nas spletno medvrstniško nasilje v porastu. Družba se zaveda problematike spletnega nasilja, zato so vzgojno-izobraževalne ustanove, druge institucije in policija naredili odločne korake k ozaveščanju javnosti, zaposlenih v šolah, staršev in mladostnikov o varni uporabi interneta ter o nevarnostih in posledicah spletnega nasilja. Posledice spletnega nasilja imajo lahko tudi tragični zaključek, saj ima spletno nasilje posredno vzročno povezavo s samopoškodovanjem, samomorilnimi mislimi, poskusi in z izvedenimi samomori med mladimi.School courtyards and playgrounds are no longer there places where young people socialise. Instead, they use online social networks that they access with their phones, tablets and computers. Social networks, in addition to socialising, entertainment and games, are used to disseminate knowledge and exchange study materials. Young people are able to use the web to communicate with others free of charge, maintaining relationships with friends, families and partners all over the world. Violent boys and mean girls have always been present among young people. Information technology has now just given them a completely new platform for their malicious acts. In my master’s thesis I used an overview of the relevant literature to first explain the difference between traditional and online bullying. I focused on the forms of online bullying that occur on the various social networks. Then, I defined the important role played by institutions in the prevention, confrontation and coping with online violence. In order to show how we are faced with the problem of online violence in Slovenia, I carried out interviews with representatives from the institutions in Slovenia that deal with this issue. In the discussion section, I find that online bullying in Slovenia is growing. Society is aware of the problems of online violence, which is why educational institute and institutions, as well as the police have taken firm steps in raising awareness among the public, school employees, parents and young people about using the internet safely and about the dangers and consequences of online violence. The consequences of online violence can also lead to tragic ends, as there is an indirect causal link between self-harm, suicidal thoughts, suicides and suicide attempts among young people and online violence