Abstract
For decades, cyberbullying has been acknowledged as a social phenomenon that poses adverse effects on victims. Scholarship generally defines cyberbullying as repeated behaviors that intend to harm the victims. Prior studies aimed at investigating cyberbullying and victimization patterns among juveniles. Furthermore, risk factors, which increase the likelihood of cyberbullying engagement, had been revealed in several different studies. While there are consistent findings regarding the negative outcomes of cyberbullying, the trends are somewhat obscure due to inconsistent methodology. Furthermore, despite cyberbullying being a domestic and international issue, prior research practices have limited generalizability across samples. These limitations led to inherent gaps in the literature, which ultimately hinders a comprehensive understanding of cyberbullying. Thus, the ultimate purpose of this chapter is to provide both domestic and international reviews regarding cyberbullying engagement. By doing so, this chapter will navigate an in-depth analysis of cyberbullying worldwide.
TopIntroduction
For decades, cyberbullying has been acknowledged as a social phenomenon that poses adverse effects on victims (Patchin & Hinduja, 2022). Scholarship generally defines cyberbullying as repeated behaviors that intend to harm the victims. The magnitude of cyberbullying is relatively high in the United States. For instance, Patchin (2019) revealed that 37 percent of high school students in the United States experienced cyberbullying victimization in 2019. The harms of cyberbullying victimization include various negative consequences, which may affect teenagers’ development, including depression (Perren, Dooley, Shaw, & Cross, 2010), low self-esteem (Patchin, & Hinduja, 2010), or suicide at an extreme level (Van Geel, Vedder, & Tanilon, 2014).
Prior studies aimed at investigating cyberbullying and victimization patterns among juveniles (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010; 2011; 2015; 2018; Patchin & Hinduja, 2010). Furthermore, risk factors, which increase the likelihood of cyberbullying engagement, had been revealed in several different studies (Barlett, Rinker, & Roth, 2021; Lazuras, Barkoukis, Ourda, & Tsorbatzoudis, 2013; Kowalski, Morgan, & Limber, 2012; Li, Holt, Bossler, & May, 2016; Lianos, & McGrath, 2018; Hinduja & Patchin, 2010; Hoff & Mitchell, 2009; Zhou, Tang, Tian, Wei, Zhang, & Morrison, 2013). While there are consistent findings regarding the negative outcomes of cyberbullying, the trends are somewhat obscure due to inconsistent methodology. Furthermore, despite cyberbullying being a domestic and international issue, prior research practices have limited generalizability across samples. These limitations led to inherent gaps in the literature, which ultimately hinders a comprehensive understanding of cyberbullying. Thus, the purpose of this chapter is to provide both domestic and international reviews regarding cyberbullying engagement. Additionally, this chapter will navigate an in-depth analysis of cyberbullying occurrences worldwide.
To prevent or reduce the harms of cyberbullying, it is crucial to recognize the causes and consequences associated with this phenomenon. Therefore, the current chapter advocates for a comprehensive viewpoint that captures both domestic and international cyberbullying trends. Moreover, a thorough review of cross-sectional and longitudinal research will provide a more holistic lens on cyberbullying. The net result will be a more robust understanding for both academics and practitioners.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Cyberattack: Online behaviors that lead to negative consequences by destroying victims or their properties, stealing information, exposing harm to victims, or spreading adverse information against victims.
Cyber Harassment: Harassment using electronic devices based on communication that annoys, threats, insults, or terrorizes victims.
Comparative Criminology: Studies that examine differences in crimes or criminal justice systems in different cultural backgrounds.
International Study: Studies about culture, language, politics, economy, or societies in different countries.
Cyber Aggression: Aggressive behaviors using online tools to threaten, humiliate, attack, or insult others psychologically.
Cyber Stalking: Repeated and unwanted online contact, communication, tracking targeting an individual or a group of people.
Social media: Online spaces being built by users that share various contents such as music, images, videos, or opinions.
Juvenile Delinquency: Anti-social behaviors committed by people under certain ages that may violate laws in some circumstances.
Cyberbullying Victimization: Being victimized by bullies in online spaces.
Cyberbullying: Repeated harm with intents to harass victims using technologies or electronic methods.