The Correlates of Cyberbullying Victimization Among Victimized Costa Rican Youth: Evidence from the 2023 Kids Online Survey

Cyberbullying has emerged as a significant concern for the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents, yet evidence from nationally representative surveys in Latin America remains limited. This study examined correlates of cyberbullying victimization among Costa Rican youth using data from the 2023 Kids Online survey. The initial sample consisted of 1200 participants aged 9–17 years; however, analyses were restricted to the 264 respondents who reported having experienced offensive or unpleasant treatment by a peer during the previous year and therefore completed the cyberbullying follow-up items. Descriptive analyses and nonparametric tests were conducted to examine demographic differences, followed by an ordinal logistic regression model evaluating individual, family, and school-related correlates, including age, caregiver supervision of internet use, teacher support, negative emotional experiences associated with online activities, and engagement in online aggressive behaviors toward peers. Among respondents reporting peer victimization, 13.2% met the study criterion for cyberbullying victimization, defined as online victimization occurring at least once per month. Older age was associated with higher levels of cyberbullying victimization, whereas sex was not a significant predictor after adjustment for other variables. The regression model revealed nonlinear associations between cyberbullying victimization and both caregiver supervision and teacher support, suggesting patterns consistent with reactive supervision. In addition, negative emotional online experiences emerged as one of the correlates of victimization, while online aggressive behavior showed a marginal positive association. These findings suggest that, among victimized youth, cyberbullying victimization reflects a complex interaction of individual characteristics, emotional experiences, and the quality and timing of adult guardianship. Prevention efforts should therefore emphasize proactive, trust-based support from families and schools, alongside strategies that strengthen adolescents’ emotional resilience and digital citizenship.