Assessing risky online behavior for cyberharassment and cyberstalking among university students in New Zealand

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between two types of cyberabuse-cyberharassment and cyberstalking-and constructs from the lifestyle-routine activity approach relating to the visibility and accessibility of victims (targets) online. Data were collected from 185 university students in New Zealand via an online survey. Descriptive statistics shows that cyberabuse victimization experiences in the previous year were common, but respondents only reported associated feelings of fear or distress for half of these experiences. Findings indicated that using dating apps is associated with an increased risk of cyberharassment, and including details of other social network accounts in a user profile is associated with an increased risk of cyberstalking. Interestingly, demographic characteristics did not correlate with victimization. Overall, this research underscores the importance of differentiating between cyberharassment and cyberstalking to inform prevention activities.