Article Review #2: Cyberbullying Offending and Victimization – The Role of Social Skills and Empathy
Name: Ramzi Alkaifi
School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University
CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences
Instructor: Diwakar Yalpi
Date: November 15, 2025
Introduction / BLUF
The authors of the paper “Cyberbullying Offending and Victimization: The Role of Social Skills and Empathy” seek to examine how emotional understanding and interpersonal skills influence both committing and experiencing cyberbullying. The most significant finding of the research is that low empathy combined with poor social skills greatly increases the likelihood of a person becoming either a perpetrator or a victim, showing how social-psychological factors work alongside technology in influencing cybercrime.
Relation / Connection to Social Science Principles
The study strongly correlates with major social science principles such as human behavior, social interaction, emotional development, deviance, social influence, and victimization. It shows that empathy, a core psychological and social concept, helps determine who is more likely to offend and who is more likely to be victimized. The research makes it clear that digital abuse is deeply connected to social structures, emotional regulation, and cognitive processes.
Research Question / Hypothesis / Independent & Dependent Variables
Research Focus: Understanding how empathy influences involvement in cyberbullying and how social skills affect online harassment.
Hypothesis: Individuals with lower empathy and less developed social skills are more likely to participate in or suffer from cyberbullying.
Independent Variables:
– Empathy levels
– Social skills
Dependent Variables:
– Cyberbullying offending
– Cyberbullying victimization
Types of Research Methods Used
The study uses a quantitative research method and collects data through structured surveys administered to adolescents. Empathy and social competency were measured using standardized psychological scales, while cyberbullying behaviors were recorded using validated questionnaires. This method allows for accurate statistical comparison.
Types of Data and Analysis Used
The data were numerical survey responses. The authors used statistical tools, including correlation tests and regression models, to determine how strongly empathy and social skills predicted cyberbullying involvement. These analyses helped identify relationships between emotional skills and cyberbullying behaviors.
Connections to Other Course Concepts
The results connect closely to course concepts such as social engineering, deviance, digital identity, and human behavior. Just as social engineers exploit emotions and vulnerabilities, cyberbullies rely on power imbalances and emotional weaknesses. The research reinforces that psychological and sociological factors strongly influence online behavior.
Connections to Concerns or Contributions of Marginalized Groups
Marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ youth, socially isolated individuals, and adolescents with limited support systems are more vulnerable to cyberbullying. These individuals often experience significant emotional and social harm. The paper highlights the need for interventions that acknowledge and address social inequality.
Overall Societal Contributions / Conclusion
The research contributes to society by identifying empathy and social skills as key factors involved in cyberbullying. This understanding can help schools, policymakers, and cybersecurity professionals create prevention strategies focused on emotional development and social support. The study demonstrates that cybersecurity must incorporate social science principles to protect at-risk groups and create safer digital environments for everyone.
Reference
Saroglia, M., & Sorrentino, A. (2024). Cyberbullying offending and victimization: The role of social skills and empathy. International Journal of Cybercriminology, 18(1), 112–130.
Article Link: https://www.cybercrimejournal.com