Technology-Based Bullying Intervention for Rural Schools: Perspectives on Needs, Challenges, and Design

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Public Health
• Technology in Education

Background:

• Bullying is prevalent among US middle schoolers (26.7% victimization).
• Existing school-wide bullying programs face resource barriers in rural and low-income settings.
• A technology-based approach can increase accessibility for underserved schools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand school personnel needs for a technology-based bystander bullying intervention (STAC).
• To identify implementation challenges and facilitators in rural, low-income middle schools.
• To inform the development of an accessible digital bullying prevention tool.

Main Methods:

• Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) was employed.
• Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 15 school personnel from three rural, low-income middle schools.
• Data analysis focused on needs, challenges, and preferences for a technology-based intervention.

Main Results:

• School personnel expressed strong interest in a technology-based bullying intervention.
• Positive implementation factors include administrative support and technology readiness.
• Key considerations for program success include efficacy, flexible delivery, parental involvement, and addressing time/resource constraints.

Conclusions:

• Findings validate the need for a technology-based STAC intervention.
• The study provides crucial feedback for adapting the intervention to meet the specific needs and overcome challenges in rural and low-income middle schools.
• A hybrid virtual/in-person model is suggested for optimal engagement, particularly for booster sessions.