A Cyberbullying Media-Based Prevention Intervention for Adolescents on Instagram: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Between 15% and 70% of adolescents report experiencing cybervictimization. Cybervictimization is associated with multiple negative consequences, including depressed mood. Few validated, easily disseminated interventions exist to prevent cybervictimization and its consequences. With over 97% of adolescents using social media (such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat), recruiting and delivering a prevention intervention through social media and apps may improve accessibility of prevention tools for at-risk youth. Objective This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of and obtain preliminary outcome data on IMPACT (Intervention Media to Prevent Adolescent Cyber-Conflict Through Technology), a brief, remote app-based intervention to prevent and reduce the effect of cyberbullying. Methods From January 30, 2020, to May 3, 2020, a national sample of 80 adolescents with a history of past-year cybervictimization was recruited through Instagram for a randomized control trial of IMPACT, a brief, remote research assistant–led intervention and a fully automated app-based program, versus enhanced web-based resources (control). Feasibility and acceptability were measured by consent, daily use, and validated surveys. Although not powered for efficacy, outcomes (victimization, bystander self-efficacy, and well-being) were measured using validated measures at 8 and 16 weeks and evaluated using a series of longitudinal mixed models. Results Regarding feasibility, 24.5% (121/494) of eligible participants provided contact information; of these, 69.4% (84/121) completed full enrollment procedures. Of the participants enrolled, 45% (36/80) were randomized into the IMPACT intervention and 55% (44/80) into the enhanced web-based resources groups. All participants randomized to the intervention condition completed the remote intervention session, and 89% (77/80) of the daily prompts were answered. The retention rate was 99% (79/80) at 8 weeks and 96% (77/80) at 16 weeks for all participants. Regarding acceptability, 100% (36/36) of the intervention participants were at least moderately satisfied with IMPACT overall, and 92% (33/36) of the participants were at least moderately satisfied with the app. At both 8 and 16 weeks, well-being was significantly higher (β=1.17, SE 0.87, P=.02 at 8 weeks and β=3.24, SE 0.95, P<.001 at 16 weeks) and psychological stress was lower (β=−.66, SE 0.08, P=.04 at 8 weeks and β=−.89, SE 0.09, P<.001 at 16 weeks) among IMPACT users than among control group users. Participants in the intervention group attempted significantly more bystander interventions than those in the control group at 8 weeks (β=.82, SE 0.42; P=.02). Conclusions This remote app-based intervention for victims of cyberbullying was feasible and acceptable, increased overall well-being and bystander interventions, and decreased psychological stress. Our findings are especially noteworthy given that the trial took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of Instagram to recruit adolescents can be a successful strategy for identifying and intervening with those at the highest risk of cybervictimization. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04259216; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04259216.

Nursing Intervention for Preventing Cyberbullying and Reducing Its Negative Impact on Students: A Scoping Review

“…Cyberbullying had a negative impact on students on mental health aspects including depression, social anxiety, suicide, low self-esteem and behavioral problems that can strain relationships between family members. 1 , 7 , 18 In addition, cyberbullying could reduce student’s achievement in school. Other studies have shown that bullying causes a deficit in emotional abilities, which has an impact on psychological dysfunction.…”

Interventions with Digital Tools for Mental Health Promotion among 11–18 Year Olds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A potential reason may have been the low levels of distress at baseline, which made improvements harder to detect. 14 Kutok et al ( 2021 ) (USA, Pilot RCT) Adolescents with past experience of cybervictimization (15.3) 1. IMPACT 2.…”

Family and Educational Strategies for Cyberbullying Prevention: A Systematic Review

“…In 2021, Kutok et al [ 39 ] studied IMPACT (Intervention Media to Prevent Adolescent Cyber-Conflict Through Technology), which consists of a brief and remote app-based intervention developed in the USA to reduce the negative effects of cyberbullying and improve bystanders’ intervention. In particular, between 30 January 2020 and 3 May 2020, a national sample of 80 adolescents with a history of past-year cybervictimization was recruited by using some targeted Instagram advertisements for a randomized control trial of IMPACT.…”

“…With the same objectives in mind, other interventions point to stimulating youngsters’ emotional education in a less conventional way by interacting in a theatre performance on the theme (as in ACT Out! [ 27 ]) or by developing apps, videogames, or automated SMS text-messaging to deliver the intervention remotely (as in IMPACT [ 39 ], in Cooperative Cybereduca 2.0 [ 43 ], and in the study by Ranney [ 41 ], respectively).…”