Cited by 171Bullying, Victimization, and AggressionHate Speech and Cyberbullying DetectionImpact of Technology on Adolescents

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Interventions to Decrease Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization

Open access
Polanin, Joshua R., Espelage, Dorothy L., Grotpeter, Jennifer K., Ingram, Katherine, Michaelson, Laura, Spinney, Elizabeth, Valido, Alberto, Sheikh, America El +2 more·2022·Prevention Science

Abstract

Evidence suggests that cyberbullying among school-age children is related to problem behaviors and other adverse school performance constructs. As a result, numerous school-based programs have been developed and implemented to decrease cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. Given the extensive literature and variation in program effectiveness, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of programs to decrease cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. Our review included published and unpublished literature, utilized modern, transparent, and reproducible methods, and examined confirmatory and exploratory moderating factors. A total of 50 studies and 320 effect sizes spanning 45,371 participants met the review protocol criteria. Results indicated that programs significantly reduced cyberbullying perpetration (g = -0.18, SE = 0.05, 95% CI [-0.28, -0.09]) and victimization (g = -0.13, SE = 0.04, 95% CI [-0.21, -0.05]). Moderator analyses, however, yielded only a few statistically significant findings. We interpret these findings and provide implications for future cyberbullying prevention policy and practice.

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  • The effectiveness of anti-cyberbullying programmes remains uncertain, as previous reviews report mixed results.

    “However, the effectiveness of these anti-cyberbullying programmes remains uncertain, as indicated by previous reviews that report mixed results26,92.”

    From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [26]

    The Discussion reports mixed findings from previous reviews: two found significant reductions in cyberbullying, while Mishna and colleagues found only increased internet-safety knowledge. But this review concludes that programmes significantly reduced perpetration and victimization and expresses relative confidence in effective interventions, so it does not support the claim that effectiveness remains uncertain. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Participation in cyberbullying intervention programmes has a small but significant effect in reducing victimization.

    “Participation in cyberbullying intervention programmes has been consistently shown across 11 meta-analyses to have a small but significant effect in reducing victimization25,26,89–91,102,105,122,125,128.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Espelage, D.L., Rao, M.A., & Craven, R. (2013). Relevant theories for cyberbullying research. In Bauman, S., Walker, J., & Cross, D. (Eds), Principles of Cyberbullying Research: Definition, Methods, and Measures. Routledge.
  2. Tanrfukulu T The analysis of variables about cyber bullying and the effect of an intervention program with tendency to reality therapy on cyber bullying behvaiors (Unpublished dissertation) 2013 Sakarya University
  3. Van Cleemput K Vandebosch B S., Poels, K., DeSmet, A., & De Bourdeaudhuij. A systematic review of studies evaluating anti-cyberbullying programs Wageningen, NL. 2014 10.3102/0034654313483907 · DOI · Paper page
  4. Välimäki, M., Almeida, A., Cross, D., O’Moore, M., a Berne, S., Deboutte, G., … Sygkollitou, E. (2013). Guidelines for preventing cyber-bullying in the school environment: A review and recommendations. Cost Action ISO0801. https://sites.google.com/site/costis0801/guideline

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Authors
Polanin, J. R., Espelage, D. L., Grotpeter, J. K., Ingram, K., Michaelson, L., Spinney, E., Valido, A., Sheikh, A. E., Torgal, C., & Robinson, L.
Affiliations
  • American Institutes for Research (US)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
  • Development Services Group (United States) (US)
  • University of Florida (US)
Corresponding author
Polanin, Joshua R.
Venue
Prevention Science
Published
2021-06-22
Volume
23
Issue
3
Pages
439-454
ISSN
  • 1389-4986 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6695
OpenAlex
W3175530597
Cited by
171
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 7
FWCI
3.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Prevention Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Justice (2017-CK-BX-0009)
  • American Institutes for Research (MOSAIC)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
cyberbullying, cyberbullying perpetration, cyber victimization, school-based prevention, bullying prevention, elementary school students, program effectiveness, moderators
MeSH terms
Problem Behavior, Cyberbullying, Child, Humans, Schools, Crime Victims, Bullying

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