Cyberbullying

Abstract

The development of new information technologies has led to new forms of violence between adolescents and young people, frequent users of social networks, chats, and e-messages. Thus, this chapter aims to clarify the concept of cyberbullying and characterize this problem by reflecting on similarities and differences of traditional bullying and its typologies and presenting some prevalence data in different countries, namely during pandemic situation. The authors intend to characterize the participants and roles played in this problem, also reflecting on the consequences for them in the short and long term with an emphasis in the consequences on mental health. The main risk and protection factors of a biopsychosocial nature will be explored considering that this phenomenon is complex and dynamic. Subsequently, preventive strategies will be presented at school and family levels to foster more proactive than reactive responses to the fight against cyberbullying. Finally, some empirically validated intervention strategies stand out.