An examination of the predictive factors of cyberbullying in adolescents

Abstract

We examined the factors related to predicting cyberbullying behavior in adolescents, specifically demographics and the use of information and communication technologies. The study participants were 417 adolescents attending high school in Kırşehir, Turkey. We used an individual information form and a cyberbullying scale to collect information and found that 149 (35.7%) of the adolescents had cyberbullied others at least once. Hierarchical regression analysis showed in Step 1 that age, gender, grade, father's age, and family income were significant factors predictive of cyberbullying, and in Step 2 that owning a computer rather than just having access to one in a public library or Internet cafe, parental control of use of the Internet, and previously being bullied on the Internet were significant predictive factors. Based on these findings, we propose that effective strategies for the prevention of cyberbullying are parental supervision of adolescent use of information and communication technologies, education for parents and teachers, and offering information technology communication (media) literacy courses in schools.

Influence of Family Variables on Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Finally, Le et al (2017) identified the composition of the household as a predictor of perpetration behavior (cyber and traditional perpetration was included). However, the other research studies that took this variable into account did not find any relationship between the composition of the household and the probability of being a cybervictim or a cyberbullying perpetrator (Beyazit et al 2017;Doty et al 2017;Uludasdemir and Kucuk 2018).…”

“…Chen et al (2018) were able to associate the low family income with cybervictimization. On the other hand, Beyazit et al (2017) found that a high family income was a significant factor, predictive of cyberbullying perpetration. On the contrary, Garmy et al (2018) studied the socioeconomic status, identifying three groups according to the degree of affluence (low, medium, and high), and the results were not significant.…”

“…In addition to the previous variables, others were studied, which were included in a single research study. Beyazit et al (2017) found that being a young father (under 40 years of age) was a significant predictor of cyberperpetration. Çakır et al (2016) discovered that the parents' technological competence made no statistically significant difference to being a cyberbullying perpetrator or a cybervictim.…”

“…There were 6 (18%) studies which focused only on contextual family variables (Abdulsalam et al 2017;Çakır et al 2016;Chen et al 2018;Garmy et al 2018;Marret and Choo 2017;Shaheen et al 2018). However, there were 9 more studies (26%) which took into account such variables (Bevilacqua et al 2017;Beyazit et al 2017;Buelga et al 2017;Doty et al 2017;Garaigordobil and Machimbarrena 2017;Gómez et al 2017;Le et al 2017;Shams et al 2017;Uludasdemir and Kucuk 2018). The following variables were included: Family composition, family conflict, family's socioeconomic status, parents' education level, parental employment situation, family's home degree of rurality, parents' age, technological competence, stress, and parents' city of residence.…”

“…Regarding the parental control over children's Internet use, the findings of the three studies analyzing it agreed that it was a variable closely related to this phenomenon. Beyazit et al (2017) discovered that it was a significant factor for predicting cyberbullying perpetration. Gómez et al (2017) also indicated that the parental control and limitations over children's Internet use may be associated with cyberbullying perpetration and victimization.…”