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The Evolution of Cyberbullying Definitions in the Digital Age: A Systematic Review of Defining Attributes and Conceptual Synthesis
Abstract
Cyberbullying is a major concern in youth digital environments. Using PRISMA-guided procedures and Walker and Avant’s concept analysis framework, we systematically reviewed definitions of cyberbullying published between 2000 and 2024. Searches across four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus) identified 1,536 records. After duplicate removal and multistage screening, 43 peer-reviewed studies met the final inclusion criteria. Across these studies, eight recurrent attributes were coded: electronic or digital mediation, aggressive behavior, willfulness or intentionality, repetition or persistence, harm, accessibility or ubiquity, anonymity, and power imbalance. The findings show substantial variation in how several attributes, particularly intentionality, repetition, anonymity, and power imbalance, were defined or emphasized across studies. Based on these patterns, this review offers an interpretive refinement of cyberbullying’s defining attributes to better reflect contemporary digital environments. By documenting definitional change over time, this study provides a clearer conceptual foundation for future youth-focused research, policy, and practice.
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“This definitional variability is further illustrated by a recent review identifying 43 author-defined conceptualizations of cyberbullying published between 2000 and 2024 (46).”
From A thematic analysis of adolescents’ perceptions of cyberbullying and cyberaggression: definitional distinctions and educational gaps (2026) · cites this paper as [46]
In the citing paper
“While electronic mediation, aggressive behavior, intention, and harm were more commonly included, repetition, power imbalance, and anonymity were far less consistently specified, highlighting ongoing conceptual ambiguity within the field.”
From A thematic analysis of adolescents’ perceptions of cyberbullying and cyberaggression: definitional distinctions and educational gaps (2026) · cites this paper as [46]
In the citing paper
“As digital environments continuously evolve and diversify, maintaining a coherent and valid definition of cyberbullying remains a challenge (46).”
From A thematic analysis of adolescents’ perceptions of cyberbullying and cyberaggression: definitional distinctions and educational gaps (2026) · cites this paper as [46]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Smith, E. J., Rai, R., Scase, M. O., & Wilson, A. D. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1746672
“As digital environments continuously evolve and diversify, maintaining a coherent and valid de fi nition of cyberbullying remains a challenge (46).”
Chen, Q., Li, Y., & Chan, K. L. (2026) · doi:10.2196/preprints.103708
Yoon, Y., & Song, A. (2026) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10563303/v1
Karkhanis, S., & Lin, Y.-W. (2026) · Professional School Counseling · doi:10.1177/2156759x261500364
Metadata
- Authors
- Kim, S., Ahn, S.-K., Yang, E. S., Kim, S., & Chung, I.-J.
- Affiliations
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (US)
- Ewha Womans University (KR)
- Portland State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kim, Sangmi
- Venue
- Journal of Technology in Human Services
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2026-03-31
- Pages
- 1-31
- ISSN
- 0740-445X (ISSN-L)
- 1522-8835
- 1522-8991
- OpenAlex
- W7147383427
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 69
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4
- FWCI
- 6.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Technology in Human Services (publishedVersion)
- 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, defining attributes, intentionality, anonymity, power imbalance, repetition, harm, youth, digital environment, conceptual synthesis, conceptual analysis
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