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Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 49799

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jacek Pyżalski

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Guest Editor

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland, Faculty of Educational Stadies, 60-568 Poznan, Poland

Dr. Sara Pabian

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Guest Editor

Department of Communication Sciences, University of Antwerp, B-2000, Antwerp, Belgium & Tilburg Center for Cognition and Communication, Tilburg University, 5037 AB, Tilburg, the Netherlands

Dr. Łukasz Tomczyk

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Department of Social Pedagogy and Adult Education, Pedagogical University of Cracow, 30-060 Cracow, Poland
Interests: media education; information society; lifelong learning; school; cybersafety
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adolescent Internet practices have been studied extensively at an international level almost throughout the last two decades. Two main perspectives have been used to look at phenomena concerning young internet users: the perspective of opportunities and the perspective of risks. One of those risks is the possibility for young people to be the victims of aggressive acts conducted via new media instruments, such acts of cyberbullying, cyber harassment, online hate speech, cyber stalking, cyber-racism, etc.

Some of those aggressive online acts take place within the traditional peer group (e.g., school class) and are therefore new forms of school bullying, which has been a well-established and researched concept since the mid-1970s. However, online aggression may easily extend traditional peer relations, as the Internet environment also provides possibilities to form new kinds of social relations with peers and adults. Such contacts are not part of the offline network, due to, for instance, the public mode of communication in many internet spaces, such as social media. Additionally, the online world brings with it numerous mechanisms that potentially make online aggressive acts more harmful for the victims, such as the possibility to perform these aggressive acts (relatively) anonymously, the potentially large amount of spectators, and the opportunities to spread and save content easily so that harmful messages can be still visible to the victims and others even years after they were put online. Numerous studies, including big comparative ones such as EU and Global Kids Online, have shown that online victimization in many cases harms the mental health of those who are affected by it.

This Special Issue has two main objectives. The first is to present research or concept papers showing the phenomenon of online victimization among adolescents in terms of definitions, typologies, and specificity (compared to face-to-face aggression). The second objective is to report the strategies and measures that are aimed at counteracting online victimization at all stages: purely preventive actions (aimed at, for instance, supporting positive relations online and normative behavior), actions aimed at supporting young people when they witness online aggression against their peers, and/or strategies to support those who were already victimized.

With this scope, we invite scholars to submit papers focused on the following topics:

Cyber-victimization in adolescents—new definitions, typologies, mechanisms;
Comparisons of traditional bullying victimization and cyberbullying victimization and overlap of both phenomena;
Strategies to support bystanders of online aggressive acts;
Psychological and social mechanisms specific of cyber-victimization (also experimental and longitudinal studies);
Consequences of cyber-victimization in adolescents;
Strategies adopted by adolescent cyber-victims;
Policies (at national regional and school level) and legal actions concerning cyber-victimization;
Support actions for cyber-victims and their effectiveness.

Dr. Jacek Pyżalski
Dr. Sara Pabian
Dr. Łukasz Tomczyk
Guest Editors

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Keywords

cyber-victimization
adolescents
cyberbullying
cyber-hate

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role-Based Cyberbullying Situations: Cybervictims, Cyberaggressors and Cyberbystanders

by Víctor González-Calatayud and María Paz Prendes Espinosa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8669; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168669 - 17 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4006

Abstract

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) has led to new risks, and among them is cyberbullying. It is important to be aware of the prevalence of cyberbullying in order to design intervention plans based on real contexts. Studies, however, vary widely in the data they report. These discrepancies may be due to differences in measurement. The main aim of our study, conducted in the Region of Murcia (Spain), was to ascertain the prevalence of cyberbullying in the three roles involved: victim, perpetrator and bystander. A descriptive, correlational and quantitative study was conducted using a “Cyberbullying: peer harassment screening”questionnaire to collect data. The representative sample comprised 950 students aged between 11 and 18 years (M = 13.93, SD = 1.35). The data showed that 72.1% of the participants had been involved in one or more cyberbullying situation (as victim, aggressor and/or bystander) in the previous year. Specifically, 49.3% had been cybervictims, 23.3% cyberaggressors and 62.3% cyberbystanders. The study provides detailed information about the prevalence of cyberbullying in the Region of Murcia and enables comparisons of the three roles involved. The data point to the need to promote active prevention and psychoeducational intervention strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

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16 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adolescents’ Exposure to Online Risks: Gender Disparities and Vulnerabilities Related to Online Behaviors

by Elena Savoia, Nigel Walsh Harriman, Max Su, Tyler Cote and Neil Shortland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5786; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115786 - 27 May 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5866

Abstract

In the last decade, readily available electronic devices have created unprecedented opportunities for teens to access a wide variety of information and media–both positive and negative–on the internet. Despite the increasing number of initiatives taking place worldwide intended to assess and mitigate the online risks encountered by children and adolescents, there is still a need for a better understanding of how adolescents use the internet and their susceptibility to exposure to risks in the online space. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of a convenience sample of 733 8th and 9th grade students in Utah. The survey contained eight questions regarding students’ exposure to three types of online risk scenarios: content risk, contact risk, and criminal risk. Independent variables included students’ online behaviors, use of social media and private messaging apps, and adult supervision of online activities. Logistic and negative binomial regression models indicated that gender, social media use, and chatting with strangers were associated with exposure to multiple risky online scenarios. Our results provide critical information to educators involved in the development of initiatives focusing on the reduction of youth online risk by identifying correlates of risky online events, allowing them to tailor their initiatives to meet the needs of potentially vulnerable populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

13 pages, 327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Anxiety in Victimization and Perpetration of Cyberbullying and Traditional Bullying in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

by Tai-Ling Liu, Ray C. Hsiao, Wen-Jiun Chou and Cheng-Fang Yen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5728; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115728 - 26 May 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4413

Abstract

Victimization and perpetration of cyberbullying and traditional bullying are prevalent among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aims of this study were to examine the role of social anxiety in victimization and perpetration of cyberbullying and traditional bullying in adolescents with ASD and ADHD in Taiwan. A total of 219 adolescents with ASD and 287 adolescents with ADHD aged 11–18 years and their caregivers were recruited from the child psychiatry outpatient clinics into this study. The associations of social anxiety with victimization and perpetration of cyberbullying and traditional bullying were examined using logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that after the effects of sex, age, and autistic social impairment were controlled, social anxiety increased the risk of being a victim of cyberbullying (Odds Ratios (OR) = 1.048; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.013–1.084), a victim of traditional bullying (OR = 1.066; 95% CI: 1.036–1.097), and a perpetrator of traditional bullying (OR = 1.061; 95% CI: 1.027–1.096) in adolescents with ASD. After the effects of sex, age, and ADHD symptoms were controlled for, social anxiety increased the risk of being a victim of traditional bullying in adolescents with ADHD (OR = 1.067; 95% CI: 1.039–1.096). Social anxiety was significantly associated with several forms of bullying involvement in adolescents with ASD and ADHD and warrants being considered into prevention and intervention programs for bullying involvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

12 pages, 560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Moral Disengagement, Empathy, and Cybervictim’s Representation as Predictive Factors of Cyberbullying among Italian Adolescents

by Maria Lidia Mascia, Mirian Agus, Maria Assunta Zanetti, Maria Luisa Pedditzi, Dolores Rollo, Mirko Lasio and Maria Pietronilla Penna

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 1266; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031266 - 31 Jan 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4377

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate which aspects of moral disengagement (MD), empathy, and representations of the victim’s experience (VER) could be predictors of cyberbullying (CB). One hundred and eight-nine students (11–17 years old) completed 3 self-report questionnaires: An MD scale, an empathy scale, and a CB questionnaire. In relation to the personal experience of CB, four groups were identified: Victim, bully, bully/victim, and no experience with CB. The linear bivariate correlation analysis shows correlations between empathy and VER, between empathy and MD, and between MD and VER. A multinomial logistic regression identified which predictors could increase a subject’s probability of belonging to one of the four groups regarding the personal experience of CB (victim, bully, bully/victim, no experience). Findings highlighted that low cognitive empathy might increase the probability for a student to belong to the bullies’ group, rather than the victims’ group. Furthermore, low perception of the consequences of CB on the victim might increase the probability of belonging to the bully, bully/victim, and no experience groups. Then, a high score in the diffusion of responsibility was a significant predictor of belonging to the victim group rather than the no experience group. Results from this study confirm the need for preventive measures against CB, including the empowerment of cognitive empathy, decreasing the diffusion of responsibility, and increasing the awareness of the consequences of CB on the victim. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

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14 pages, 359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Youth Exposure to Hate in the Online Space: An Exploratory Analysis

by Nigel Harriman, Neil Shortland, Max Su, Tyler Cote, Marcia A. Testa and Elena Savoia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(22), 8531; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228531 - 17 Nov 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 7944

Abstract

Today’s youth have extensive access to the internet and frequently engage in social networking activities using various social media platforms and devices. This is a phenomenon that hate groups are exploiting when disseminating their propaganda. This study seeks to better understand youth exposure to hateful material in the online space by exploring predictors of such exposure including demographic characteristics (age, gender, and race), academic performance, online behaviors, online disinhibition, risk perception, and parents/guardians’ supervision of online activities. We implemented a cross-sectional study design, using a paper questionnaire, in two high schools in Massachusetts (USA), focusing on students 14 to 19 years old. Logistic regression models were used to study the association between independent variables (demographics, online behaviors, risk perception, parental supervision) and exposure to hate online. Results revealed an association between exposure to hate messages in the online space and time spent online, academic performance, communicating with a stranger on social media, and benign online disinhibition. In our sample, benign online disinhibition was also associated with students’ risk of encountering someone online that tried to convince them of racist views. This study represents an important contribution to understanding youth’s risk factors of exposure to hateful material online. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

17 pages, 331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Cause Analysis of Cyberbullying in Korean Adolescents

by Woochun Jun

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(13), 4648; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134648 - 28 Jun 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 10162

Abstract

With the development of information and communication technology, online communication is becoming more active than offline meetings in daily life. This online communication is accelerating, especially as smartphone distribution and utilization become more prevalent. This communication in cyberspace has the advantage of people being able to communicate anytime, anywhere beyond time and place, while causing a variety of inappropriate consequences. A typical one is cyberbullying, which is a serious problem for adolescents who have active communication online. The purpose of this study is to accurately investigate and analyze the status of cyberbullying among adolescents. To this end, national survey data of the National Information Society Agency (NIA) was analyzed for the past three years. The population size and sample size from 2017 to 2019 were 5.773.998 and 4500 (2017), 5,663,725 and 4662 (2018), 5,502,801 and 4779 (2019), respectively. The statistical analysis shows that the biggest type of cyberbullying among adolescents is verbal abuse, and the biggest means is instant messaging. In addition, the most frequent forms of cyberbullying victims and cyberbullying perpetrators occur between individuals. In addition, the correlation between the interpersonal relationships of adolescents and the cyberbullying experience rate were analyzed, and various cyberbullying factors such as psychological factors were analyzed. As a result, we found that the interaction with parents and friendship reliability have a negative correlation with the cyberbullying experience rate. We expect the results of this study to be of great help to future research and policies of juvenile cyberbullying. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

14 pages, 773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Factors of Cyberbullying Perpetration amongst Spanish Adolescents

by Carolina Yudes, Lourdes Rey and Natalio Extremera

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(11), 3967; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113967 - 3 Jun 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6171

Abstract

(1) Cyberbullying has gained increased attention from society and researchers due both to its negative psychosocial consequences and the problems that have risen relating to the misuse of technology. Despite the growing number of scientific studies, most research has focused on victims of cyberbullying rather than on the cyberbullies. This study examines the predictive value of personal resources (emotional intelligence, gratitude, and core self-evaluations) and risk factors (cybervictimization, problematic Internet use), and parental control in online activities on adolescents’ involvement in cyberbullying perpetration. (2) A total of 2039 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age took part in this research (53.9% females). (3) Twenty-two percent of the sample was engaged in cyberbullying behaviors (more male adolescents). Insults and online social exclusion were the most frequent types of cyberbullying perpetration. Age, cybervictimization, problematic Internet use, and deficits in the use and regulation of emotions were the best predictors of cyberbullying perpetration. (4) Cyberbullying is a social reality in which personal and family variables converge on a particularly vulnerable age group. Our findings suggest that both well-known predictors of cyberbullying (cybervictimization and problematic Internet use) along with others less studied dimensions (i.e., emotional abilities) need to be taken into account in future school-based interventions aimed to prevent cyberbullying perpetration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

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Review

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15 pages, 1121 KiB

Open AccessReview

Continuity and Overlap of Roles in Victims and Aggressors of Bullying and Cyberbullying in Adolescence: A Systematic Review

by Estefanía Estévez, Elizabeth Cañas, Jesús F. Estévez and Amapola Povedano

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(20), 7452; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207452 - 13 Oct 2020

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 5534

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of research focused on analyzing the overlap and continuity of the roles in victims and aggressors of bullying and cyberbullying, as well as the exchange of roles in both harassment dynamics in adolescents. Searches in the main electronic databases for studies published in the last 20 years identified 19 studies that fulfilled inclusion criteria. The findings of the studies analyzed were not homogeneous, however, the main conclusion of all of them, to a greater or lesser extent, was that there is a component of continuity or superposition in the roles of both forms of bullying. Some studies also found an exchange of roles, especially in the case of victims and cybervictims who decide to reprimand their aggressors in an online context, becoming in cyberaggressors too. It is necessary to continue investigating the coexistence of bullying and cyberbullying and its exchange in certain contexts and people, as well as whether they are part of the same phenomenon with a certain continuity, or if cyberbullying is another expression of traditional bullying. Future intervention programs focusing on traditional school bullying could also evaluate their impact in situations of cyberbullying among peers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Victimization Prevention among Adolescents)

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