Meaning Associated with Experiences of Cyberbullying: Cyber Victimization within the Netflix Series 13 Reasons Why.

Harper, Molly-Gloria

The cultural dynamics carrying with them the meaning of crime is foundational to the theory of cultural criminology. According to cultural criminologists, emphasis on meaning of action is found within the very dynamics of culture and society, which is also produced by those within that culture. Thus, when it comes to cyberbullying, questions ought to be raised regarding the inherent meaning of such experiences, particularly for those who have been victimized. This is important because cyberbullying has become a prominent phenomenon among contemporary young people. By focusing on the concept of meaning, various aspects of cyberbullying victimization are uncovered where the inherent cultural meaning of the act(s) of cyberbullying cannot go unnoticed - mainly through the ways outcomes of victimization are portrayed and understood. To explore this, I conducted a qualitative media analysis on the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. The aim of the study was to reveal the meaning constructed by the main cyber victim, Hannah Baker, who experiences cyberbullying alongside other social issues. Through this analysis it is revealed how meaning becomes a critical, central theme in the development of cyberbullying and to understand victimization, which draws connections to and advances the tenants of cultural criminology.

CYBERBULLYING; CRIMINOLOGISTS; CRIMINOLOGY; MASS media; EXPERIENCE

International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 2019, Vol 13, Issue 2, p358

0974-2891

Academic Journal

10.5281/zenodo.3706741