ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores fascinating study of what online support groups offer targets of bullying. It seems that technology can offer new sources of help and advice to targets of bullying, and should not be associated solely with an increase in incidents of cyber bullying and the deliberately provocative posting of online messages that has come to be known as internet trolling. The chapter focuses on the situation in the United States of America (USA). It explores the historic influences that believes may be correlated with today's prevalence of bullying behaviour. The chapter also explores the narrative moves from the personal and organizational level to the national and governmental one. National mindsets, social and community mores, cultural influences and organizational environments impact workplace bullying insofar as they determine how it is regarded, handled and ultimately addressed.
