The article I have chosen to review addresses cyberbullying on social media. The research seeks to provide a better understanding of how cyberbullying is defined across previous studies and how it is reported in regard to prevalence and impact. The researchers analyzed cyberbullying through systematic reviews and meta-analyses of existing studies on the topic.
The study formulated five key research questions, primarily aimed at understanding the definition, contributing factors, and impact of cyberbullying on individuals across different demographics. The research questions were formulated considering the existing gaps in cyberbullying literature. The questions included:
- How is cyberbullying defined in the literature?
- What factors contribute to cyberbullying, and how can they be measured?
- What is the impact of personality traits on the likelihood of engaging in or being victimized by cyberbullying?
- How do direct involvement and indirect experiences influence the prevalence of cyberbullying?
- How does cyberbullying affect individuals, and what measures can be taken to mitigate its effects?
The study utilized a systematic review methodology using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) search strategy. The researchers conducted extensive searches across databases from Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, screening over 4,000 articles before narrowing down to 71 key studies. These studies were analyzed based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and whether the findings of those studies focused on cyberbullying definitions and cyberbullying via social media.
The study’s data consisted of previously published empirical studies, review papers, case studies, and theoretical papers. The analysis incorporated both qualitative and quantitative elements, including descriptive statistics, meta-analyses, and cross-tabulations. Descriptive statistics and frequency distribution were used to determine relationships between variables, such as age group and cyberbullying experiences.
The article aligns with various social science concepts discussed in class, such as determinism, victim precipitation, and Haslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The study suggests that anonymity plays a key role in online aggression, which relates to determinism. Impersonation, which occurs when someone hacks another user’s account, ties into the concept of victim precipitation. In relation to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, social media can harm an individual’s self-esteem.
A significant finding of the study is the disproportionate impact of cyberbullying on marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, racial minorities, and those who identify as female, particularly adolescents. These populations face higher risks of victimization, exacerbating existing social inequalities. The study calls for the development of targeted interventions to address these disparities and ensure safer online environments for vulnerable users.
This research contributes to society by synthesizing knowledge on cyberbullying’s definition, prevalence, and impact. The research revealed inconsistencies in the definition of cyberbullying, advocating for a standardized definition and formalized research methods in order to better inform policymakers and improve intervention strategies. It also highlights gaps in cyberbullying studies focused on adults and the need for further research in this area. Overall, this research lays a foundation for improving research on cyberbullying, and paves the way for developing better strategies to combat it.
References
Ray, G., McDermott, C. D., & Nicho, M. (2024). Cyberbullying on Social Media: Definitions, Prevalence, and Impact Challenges. Journal of Cybersecurity, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/cybsec/tyae026