Combatting Cyberbullying and Promoting Adolescent Mental Health: A Focus on Evidence Based Interventions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61194/jhlqr.v3i1.539Keywords:
Cyberbullying, Adolescent Mental Health, Digital Literacy, Social Media, Cyber Victimization, Intervention Strategies, Online HarassmentAbstract
Cyberbullying has become a critical issue affecting children and adolescents, with increasing evidence linking it to severe mental health consequences. This study aims to examine the prevalence, psychological impact, and potential interventions to mitigate cyberbullying’s harmful effects. A systematic review methodology was employed, analyzing peer-reviewed studies from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO. The findings reveal that cyberbullying significantly contributes to depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and suicidal ideation among victims. The role of protective factors, such as parental support and school-based interventions, is highlighted as crucial in minimizing these risks. Additionally, the study explores the dual role of technology and social media algorithms in either exacerbating or mitigating cyberbullying incidents. While platforms enable online harassment, technological interventions, including content moderation and reporting tools, present potential solutions. Given the growing prevalence of cyberbullying, urgent action is needed. Schools should implement digital literacy programs, while policymakers must enforce stricter regulations on social media content. Future research should focus on assessing intervention effectiveness, exploring cross-cultural differences, and leveraging AI for cyberbullying detection. Addressing cyberbullying requires a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating education, technology, and policy to safeguard children's mental health in digital spaces.
References
Alrajeh, S. M., Hassan, H., Al-Ahmed, A. S., & Hassan, D. A. (2021). An Investigation of the Relationship Between Cyberbullying, Cybervictimization and Depression Symptoms: A Cross Sectional Study Among University Students in Qatar. Plos One, 16(12), e0260263. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260263
Awad, M. N., & Connors, E. H. (2023). Active Bystandership by Youth in the Digital Era: Microintervention Strategies for Responding to Social Media-Based Microaggressions and Cyberbullying. Psychological Services, 20(3), 423–434. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000749
Bottino, S. M. B., Bottino, C. M. C., Regina, C. G., Correia, A. V. L., & Ribeiro, W. S. (2015). Cyberbullying and Adolescent Mental Health: Systematic Review. Cadernos De Saúde Pública, 31(3), 463–475. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00036114
Chen, D., Xu, B., & Chen, J. (2023). The Association Between Domestic Violence Exposure and Cyberbullying Behavior Among Secondary School Students. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1302477
Extremera, N., Quintana‐Orts, C., Mérida‐López, S., & Rey, L. (2018). Cyberbullying Victimization, Self-Esteem and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescence: Does Emotional Intelligence Play a Buffering Role? Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00367
Fu, K., Chan, C., & Ip, P. (2014). Exploring the Relationship Between Cyberbullying and Unnatural Child Death: An Ecological Study of Twenty-Four European Countries. BMC Pediatrics, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-14-195
Jadambaa, A., Thomas, H. J., Scott, J. G., Graves, N., Brain, D., & Pacella, R. (2019). Prevalence of Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Among Children and Adolescents in Australia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 53(9), 878–888. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867419846393
John, A., Glendenning, A., Marchant, A., Montgomery, P., Stewart, A., Wood, S., Lloyd, K., & Hawton, K. (2018). Self-Harm, Suicidal Behaviours, and Cyberbullying in Children and Young People: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(4), e129. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9044
Kostyrka‐Allchorne, K., Stoilova, M., Bourgaize, J., Rahali, M., Livingstone, S., & Sonuga‐Barke, E. (2022). Review: Digital Experiences and Their Impact on the Lives of Adolescents With Pre‐existing Anxiety, Depression, Eating and Nonsuicidal Self‐injury Conditions – A Systematic Review. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 28(1), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12619
McLoughlin, L. T., Broadhouse, K. M., Clacy, A., Winks, N., Lagopoulos, J., & Hermens, D. F. (2020). The Cyberbullying Picture Series (CyPicS): Developed for Use in Cyberbullying and Cyberbystander Research. Psychological Reports, 124(3), 1370–1383. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294120922488
McLoughlin, L. T., Spears, B., Taddeo, C., & Hermens, D. F. (2019). Remaining Connected in the Face of Cyberbullying: Why Social Connectedness Is Important for Mental Health. Psychology in the Schools, 56(6), 945–958. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22232
Nagata, J. M., Trompeter, N., Singh, G., Ganson, K. T., Testa, A., Jackson, D. B., Assari, S., Murray, S. B., Bibbins‐Domingo, K., & Baker, F. C. (2022). Social Epidemiology of Early Adolescent Cyberbullying in the United States. Academic Pediatrics, 22(8), 1287–1293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.07.003
Nagata, J. M., Trompeter, N., Singh, G., Raney, J. H., Ganson, K. T., Testa, A., Jackson, D. B., Murray, S. B., & Baker, F. C. (2022). Adverse Childhood Experiences and Early Adolescent Cyberbullying in the United States. Journal of Adolescence, 95(3), 609–616. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12124
Nguyen, H. T. L., Nakamura, K., Seino, K., & Vo, T. V. (2020). Relationships Among Cyberbullying, Parental Attitudes, Self-Harm and Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescents: Results From a School-Based Survey in Vietnam. BMC Public Health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08500-3
O’Reilly, M., Adams, S., Whiteman, N., Hughes, J., Reilly, P., & Dogra, N. (2018). Whose Responsibility is Adolescent’s Mental Health in the UK? Perspectives of Key Stakeholders. School Mental Health, 10(4), 450–461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-018-9263-6
Pyżalski, J., Plichta, P., Szuster, A., & Barlińska, J. (2022). Cyberbullying Characteristics and Prevention—What Can We Learn From Narratives Provided by Adolescents and Their Teachers? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11589. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811589
Quintana‐Orts, C., Rey, L., & Worthington, E. L. (2019). The Relationship Between Forgiveness, Bullying, and Cyberbullying in Adolescence: A Systematic Review. Trauma Violence & Abuse, 22(3), 588–604. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838019869098
Romero-Abrio, A., Martínez–Ferrer, B., Musitu-Ferrer, D., León-Moreno, C., Villarreal-González, M. E., & Callejas-Jerónimo, J. E. (2019). Family Communication Problems, Psychosocial Adjustment and Cyberbullying. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13), 2417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132417
Samara, M., Burbidge, V., Asam, A. E., Foody, M., Smith, P. K., & Morsi, H. (2017). Bullying and Cyberbullying: Their Legal Status and Use in Psychological Assessment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(12), 1449. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121449
Sampasa‐Kanyinga, H., Lalande, K., & Colman, I. (2018). Cyberbullying Victimisation and Internalising and Externalising Problems Among Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Parent–child Relationship and Child’s Sex. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2045796018000653
Tozzo, P., Cuman, O., Moratto, E., & Caenazzo, L. (2022). Family and Educational Strategies for Cyberbullying Prevention: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10452. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610452
Tso, W. W. Y., Reichert, F., Law, N., Fu, K., Torre, J. d. l., Rao, N., Leung, L. K., Wang, Y., Wong, W. H. S., & Ip, P. (2022). Digital Competence as a Protective Factor Against Gaming Addiction in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hong Kong. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 20, 100382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100382
Wiguna, T., Minayati, K., Kaligis, F., Ismail, R. I., Wijaya, E., Murtani, B. J., & Pradana, K. (2021). The Effect of Cyberbullying, Abuse, and Screen Time on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Adolescents During the Pandemic: A Perspective From the Mediating Role of Stress. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.743329
Zhu, Y., Li, W., O’Brien, J. E., & Liu, T. (2019). Parent–Child Attachment Moderates the Associations Between Cyberbullying Victimization and Adolescents’ Health/Mental Health Problems: An Exploration of Cyberbullying Victimization Among Chinese Adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(17–18), NP9272–NP9298. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519854559
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Indra Afrianto
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
