Cyberbullying: Social and Psychological effects on individuals

Camren Young

School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion

CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences

October 5, 2025

Introduction

Cyberbullying is a growing concern as social media continues to grow. Bullying, in general, is a big social and health issue for children and adolescents around the world. People who have experienced bullying report a decrease in self-esteem while increases in suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, psychological symptoms, stress, drug and alcohol use(Lim & Lee, p25). Increasing levels of bullying and peer aggression may have effects on specific levels of psychosomatic health problems. This paper will discuss the data used, social science principles, what was discovered with this research, and how cyberbullying affects marginalized communities.

Data Used/Analysis

This study used qualitative data. The data that is used in the study are from the National CrimeVictimization Survey(NCVS). NCVS interviews household members that are 12 and above every year. SCS interviews household members from 12 to 18 that attend secondary and primary schools. These studies introduced cyberbullying questionnaires in 2011. For the current study, data from 2011 through 2013 were collected because in 2015 NCVS removed 8 specific questions from the surveys. A wide range of information was collected while answering the questionnaire, such as photos, hurtful information about the victim, instant messaging, online gaming, and etc. (Lim & Lee, p33)

Independent variable

Adult support was measured using multiple questions in the surveys. Asking questions about the support from adult figures in school such as, teachers that noticed, listened, gave positive affirmations, and wanted the best from their students. Peer support was measured in the same format. The survey would ask questions about the presence of friends that the participant believed cared about feelings, and talked to.(Lim & Lee, p33)

Dependent variable

The current study measured social harm through participants answering questions on whether or not they avoided different locations in a building or certain routes to a location.(Lim  & Lee, p33) 

Findings

This study resulted in the findings that among 823 cyberbullying individuals, aged 12 to 18, in public and private schools, 24 percent experienced some level of social harm while 19 percent reported some level of psychological harm.(Lim & Lee, p 34) Findings supported that the presence of peer and adult support reduced levels of social harm among victims of cyberbullying.

Social Science principles and In Class Concepts

Cybersecurity and social sciences class, CYSE 201S, discusses relations between behavior being influenced by previous events, called determinism. It is relatively easy to influence young-minded people, as they follow behind their peers. It is important to study social science principles, especially determinism, for many reasons. The study of these principles helps people understand why a person may want to be unjust due to past events or influences one has experienced. Studying determinism assists in understanding both the bully and victim in cyberbullying based on factors such as social media culture and normalization of aggressive behavior online.

Connection to Marginalized Groups

Marginalized groups are people who have been excluded based on their ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, race, or religion. Females, in particular, are more susceptible to being victimized online. The study concluded that there is a 6 percent increase in females experiencing social harm and 7 percent increase in females experiencing some level of psychological harm compared to males(Lim & Lee, p 34). This raises concerns around women’s mental health and the disproportionate target that is placed on women in general.

Overall societal contributions of the study

Cyberbullying should never be neglected, which is why it is important to study the psychological and social consequences that are associated with cyberbullying. Developing technologies are changing people to a society that places distorted perceptions of interactions. The effects of cyberbullying are real and affect individuals’ day-to-day lives. Based on findings from this study, it is believed that peer and adult programs can be vital to help anxious students’ recovery processes, whilst improving knowledge on cyberbullying prevention and danger(Lim & Lee, p 39). 

Works Cited

Lim, H., & Lee, H. (2021). Cyberbullying: Its Social and Psychological Harms Among

Schoolers, International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime, 4(1), 25-45. https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1089&context=ijcic