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Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Prevalence among Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Sorrentino

    (Department of Psychology, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

  • Francesco Sulla

    (Department of Humanities, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy)

  • Margherita Santamato

    (Department of Psychology, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

  • Marco di Furia

    (Department of Humanities, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy)

  • Giusi Antonia Toto

    (Department of Humanities, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy)

  • Lucia Monacis

    (Department of Humanities, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy)

Abstract

In light of the alarming results emerging from some studies and reports on the significant increase in aggressive online behaviors among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the current research aimed at providing a more detailed evaluation of the investigations focusing on the cyberbullying prevalence rates published between 2020 and 2023. To this purpose, systematic searches were conducted on four databases (Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, Scopus and Google Scholar), and following PRISMA guidelines, 16 studies were included and qualitatively reviewed. Although studies were characterized by a large variety in cyberbullying operationalization and measurement, and by different methodologies used for data collection, the prevalence rates of the involvement in cyberbullying and/or cybervictimization generally revealed opposite trends: an increase in many Asian countries and Australia and a decrease in Western countries. The findings were also discussed by considering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, some suggestions were provided to policy makers for promoting prevention and intervention anti-cyberbullying programs in school contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Sorrentino & Francesco Sulla & Margherita Santamato & Marco di Furia & Giusi Antonia Toto & Lucia Monacis, 2023. "Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Prevalence among Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5825-:d:1147317
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jorge J. Varela & Cristóbal Hernández & Rafael Miranda & Christopher P. Barlett & Matías E. Rodríguez-Rivas, 2022. "Victims of Cyberbullying: Feeling Loneliness and Depression among Youth and Adult Chileans during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Antonio Tintori & Giulia Ciancimino & Giorgio Giovanelli & Loredana Cerbara, 2021. "Bullying and Cyberbullying among Italian Adolescents: The Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Violent Behaviours," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Yeon-Jun Choi & So Young Shin & Julak Lee, 2022. "Change in Factors Affecting Cyberbullying of Korean Elementary School Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-8, September.
    4. Ana María Martínez-Martínez & Remedios López-Liria & José Manuel Aguilar-Parra & Rubén Trigueros & María José Morales-Gázquez & Patricia Rocamora-Pérez, 2020. "Relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Cybervictimization, and Academic Performance in Secondary School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Lingbo Zhao & Yingru Wu & Xiayu Huang & Lin Zhang, 2022. "Network Anonymity and Cyberbullying among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-11, January.
    6. So Young Shin & Yeon-Jun Choi, 2021. "Comparison of Cyberbullying before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, September.
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