The hidden costs of connectivity: nature and effects of scholars' online harassment. Issue 3 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gosse, Chandell; Veletsianos, George; Hodson, Jaigris; Houlden, Shandell; Dousay, Tonia A.; Lowenthal, Patrick R.; Hall, Nathan
• Is Part Of: Learning, media & technology. Volume 46:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 264
• Page End: 280
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: Online harassment -- higher education -- economic vandalism -- survey methodology; Educational technology -- Periodicals; Internet in education -- Periodicals; Television in education -- Periodicals; Distance education -- Periodicals; Teaching -- Aids and devices -- Periodicals; 371.33
• DOI: 10.1080/17439884.2021.1878218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9884

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A growing body of research reveals that some scholars face online harassment and that such harassment leads to a wide variety of adverse impacts. Drawing on data collected from an online survey of 182 scholars, we report on the factors and triggers involved in scholars' experiences of online harassment; the environments where said experiences take place, and; the consequences it has for personal and professional relationships. We find that online harassment is heavily entwined with the work, identity, and in some cases, the requirements of being a scholar. The online harassment scholars experience is often compounded by other factors, such as gender and physical appearance. We build on prior research in this area to further argue that universities ought to widen their scope of what constitutes workplace harassment and workplace safety to include online spaces.