Adolescents' problematic internet and smartphone use in (cyber)bullying experiences: A network analysis

Abstract

Background: This study investigates both offline and online bullying perpetration and victimization in association with problematic internet use (PIU) and problematic smartphone use (PSU), while also considering the related psychosocial difficulties. Methods: A total of 3939 adolescents (49.4% boys, aged 13-15 years) from a representative sample of schools in Slovakia was obtained from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) project in 2018. Due to the lack of similar complex research and the expected mutual associations among the constructs, we compared exploratory network models that provided separate estimates for boys and girls. Results: The constructs formed similarly clustered networks for both genders, with a few notable differences. Unlike PIU, PSU was not associated with bullying experiences in boys or girls; however, PSU and PIU were partially related in girls. Bullying experiences formed a strong cluster in both networks. Two strong bridges were identified, and they are potential candidates for intervention in both boys and girls: first, traditional bullying victimization connected the cluster of bullying experiences to psychosocial difficulties; and, second, frequently missing sleep or meals due to internet use (behavioral salience) that is connected to the bullying cluster with PIU. Conclusions: The findings offer an indication for the preventive and interventive work of practitioners who deal with adolescents, as well as complex gender comparisons for the mutual relations of problematic internet and smartphone use, bullying experiences, and the psychosocial difficulties of youth. This study provides evidence that problematic digital media can play a role in bullying experiences irrespective of whether bullying happens offline or online. Key practitioner message• Existing research found isolated relationships among psychosocial difficulties, problematic internet use (PIU), problematic smartphone use (PSU), and bullying experiences; however, no studies offer complex models.• We applied network modeling to explore mutual relationships among individual symptoms.• PSU was not associated with bullying experiences in the network for either gender.• We identified traditional bullying victimization and the frequent missing of sleep and meals due to the internet as the most important intervention candidates for both genders. • The girls' network showed the symptoms of conflict and withdrawal (in PIU) as additional intervention candidates.

Problematic Smartphone Use and Mental Health Problems: A Network Analysis of Romanian Adolescents

“…Although these studies provide valuable insights on the structure of the network between PSU and different psychological constructs, most have focused on adolescents from specific cultural backgrounds. As far as we know, most of the existing research is conducted in developed countries with limited research conducted in East European countries (Blinka et al, 2023). This calls for an investigation of the interrelationships between PSU and mental health outcomes in diverse populations to inform future research.…”

The impact of cyberbullying on loneliness and well-being among Malaysian adolescents: The mediation role of psychological distress

“…As more powerful information technology is produced, the potential for cyberbullying and the misuse of information technology increases due to the immense power of virtual networks and Internet-based communication (Blinka et al, 2023). Researchers are debating its intrinsic susceptibility to various sorts of deviant misuse and inappropriate use more than before (Giumetti & Kowalski, 2022;Lee et al, 2021).…”

The relationship between parenting styles and adolescent problematic Internet use: A three-level meta-analysis

“…It should be noted that the potential of the PIU to bring about considerable psychological harm has been highlighted. Numerous studies have shown that PIU is associated with intensive negative outcomes, such as the impairment of functional connections related to emotional cognitive control and social brain networks ( Arató et al, 2023 ), self-injurious behavior, loneliness, hyperactivity, depressive symptoms, anxiety problems, social phobia sleep disturbances, reduced scholastic achievement, low self-esteem, poor family function, and less life satisfaction ( Arrivillaga, Rey, & Extremera, 2020 ; Blinka, Stašek, Šablatúrová, Ševčíková, & Husarova, 2023 ; Ciarrochi et al, 2016 ; Derbyshire et al, 2013 ; El Asam, Samara, & Terry, 2019 ; Ko et al, 2008 ; Lavoie et al, 2023 ; Stead & Bibby, 2017 ). Davis (2001) has defined two distinct types of PIU based on a theoretical cognitive and behavioral model, including generalized PIU and specific PIU.…”