Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization in Youth: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies
Abstract
Cyberbullying perpetration (CP) and victimization (CV) are prevalent issues in adolescent development. However, previous meta-analyses focused only on cross-sectional findings. The present study aims to meta-analytically summarize 56 longitudinal studies on CP, CV, and related factors in children and adolescents. Forty meta-analyses on CP and CV as both predictors and outcomes of person-related, Internet activity-related, and contextual factors were performed. Additional moderator analyses took into account study design, sample population, and quality of the studies. Results highlight reciprocal longitudinal effects among CP, CV, and both traditional bullying and victimization: CP causes externalizing problem behaviors over time, whereas CV constitutes a risk factor of internalizing problems, such as depression and anxiety. Conversely, behavioral problems and increased Internet use predict involvement in CP, while depression, anxiety, and Internet use also predict CV over time. Further longitudinal research is needed to provide empirical evidence on understudied concepts.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Cyberbullying victims often display lower school performance.
“Four meta-analyses consistently show that cyberbullying victims often display lower school performance28,82,85,99, leading to considerable psychological distress and maladaptive coping behaviours28,36,82,94,130.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation are commonly identified as psychological consequences of cyberbullying victimization.
“Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation are commonly identified as psychological consequences of cyberbullying victimization36,81–83.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
Cyberbullying victims show lower school attendance, academic achievement and worse peer relationships and tend to engage more in both traditional and cyberbullying perpetration.
“Cyberbullying victims show lower school attendance, academic achievement28,85 and worse peer relationships82 and tend to engage more in both traditional and cyberbullying perpetration36,86.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
Cyberbullying victimization is associated with future perpetration.
“Cyberbullying victimization was associated with future perpetration across three meta-analyses67,82,99,127.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
Cyberbullying victimization leads to considerable psychological distress and maladaptive coping behaviours.
“Four meta-analyses consistently show that cyberbullying victims often display lower school performance28,82,85,99, leading to considerable psychological distress and maladaptive coping behaviours28,36,82,94,130.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
Victims may engage in deviant behaviours such as aggression, substance use and risky sexual behaviour as coping mechanisms.
“Consequently, victims may engage in deviant behaviours such as aggression, substance use and risky sexual behaviour28,36,82,116 as coping mechanisms to offset psychological and academic issues146.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
Cyberbullying victimization is associated with psychological impacts including anxiety, depression, low empathy, reduced life satisfaction, loneliness, low self-esteem and stress, serving both as outcomes and predictors.
“Fourteen meta-analyses reveal that cyberbullying victimization was associated with considerable psychological impacts, including anxiety, depression, low empathy, reduced life satisfaction, loneliness, low self-esteem and stress, serving both as outcomes and predictors28,36,82,93,94,98,99,101,104,112,113,119,124,130.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
The meta-analyses included in this review mainly defined cyberbullying by focusing on media platforms rather than acts of cyberbullying.
“Second, the meta-analyses included in this review mainly defined cyberbullying by focusing on the different media platforms through which cyberbullying occurs, rather than on the different acts of cyberbullying28,82,104,119.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [82]
Cites
Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
Muller, K. E., & Cohen, J. (1989) · Technometrics · doi:10.2307/1270020 · Cited by 99,588 · see citing works
Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences
Cohen, J. (1990) · Computers Environment and Urban Systems · doi:10.1016/0198-9715(90)90050-4 · Cited by 65,406 · see citing works
Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses
Higgins, J. P. T., Thompson, S. G., Deeks, J. J., & Altman, D. G. (2003) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7414.557 · Cited by 63,139 · see citing works
Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test
Egger, M., Smith, G. D., Schneider, M., & Minder, C. (1997) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.315.7109.629 · Cited by 56,722 · see citing works
Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions: Cochrane Book Series
(2008) · doi:10.1002/9780470712184 · Cited by 25,048 · see citing works
Interrater reliability: The kappa statistic
McHugh, M. L. (2012) · Biochemia Medica · doi:10.11613/bm.2012.031 · Cited by 19,877 · see citing works
Shamseer, L., Moher, D., Clarke, M., Ghersi, D., Liberati, A., Petticrew, M., Shekelle, P., Stewart, L. A., & the PRISMA-P Group (2015) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.g7647 · Cited by 13,120 · see citing works
Wan, X., Wang, W., Liu, J., & Tong, T. (2014) · BMC Medical Research Methodology · doi:10.1186/1471-2288-14-135 · Cited by 11,735 · see citing works
A basic introduction to fixed-effect and random-effects models for meta-analysis
Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2010) · Research Synthesis Methods · doi:10.1002/jrsm.12 · Cited by 6,793 · see citing works
The online disinhibition effect
Suler, J. (2004) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/1094931041291295 · Cited by 4,375 · see citing works
Cyberbullying: Its nature and impact in secondary school pupils
Smith, P. K., Mahdavi, J., Carvalho, M., Fisher, S., Russell, S., & Tippett, N. (2008) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01846.x · Cited by 3,639 · see citing works
Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0035618 · Cited by 3,266 · see citing works
Tokunaga, R. S. (2010) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2009.11.014 · Cited by 2,566 · see citing works
IntHout, J., Ioannidis, J. P., & Borm, G. F. (2014) · BMC Medical Research Methodology · doi:10.1186/1471-2288-14-25 · Cited by 2,419 · see citing works
Brand, M., Young, K. S., Laier, C., Wölfling, K., & Potenza, M. N. (2016) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.033 · Cited by 2,153 · see citing works
Cyberbullying: Another main type of bullying?
SLONJE, R., & SMITH, P. K. (2008) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9450.2007.00611.x · Cited by 1,844 · see citing works
On the Use of Beta Coefficients in Meta-Analysis.
Peterson, R. A., & Brown, S. P. (2005) · Journal of Applied Psychology · doi:10.1037/0021-9010.90.1.175 · Cited by 1,643 · see citing works
Peer victimization and internalizing problems in children: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Reijntjes, A. H. A., Kamphuis, J. H., Prinzie, P., & Telch, M. J. (2010) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.07.009 · Cited by 1,439 · see citing works
Extending the school grounds?—Bullying experiences in cyberspace
Juvonen, J., & Gross, E. F. (2008) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00335.x · Cited by 1,408 · see citing works
School Bullying: Development and Some Important Challenges
Olweus, D. (2013) · Annual Review of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050212-185516 · Cited by 1,406 · see citing works
Psychological, Physical, and Academic Correlates of Cyberbullying and Traditional Bullying
Kowalski, R. M., & Limber, S. P. (2013) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.09.018 · Cited by 1,295 · see citing works
Schwarzer, G., Carpenter, J. R., & Rücker, G. (2015) · Use R! · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-21416-0 · Cited by 1,230 · see citing works
Bullying Prevalence Across Contexts: A Meta-analysis Measuring Cyber and Traditional Bullying
Modecki, K. L., Minchin, J., Harbaugh, A. G., Guerra, N. G., & Runions, K. C. (2014) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.06.007 · Cited by 1,216 · see citing works
(2014) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315812397 · Cited by 1,100 · see citing works
Li, Q. (2006) · School Psychology International · doi:10.1177/0143034306064547 · Cited by 953 · see citing works
(2018) · Cited by 900 · see citing works
Cyberbullying: bullying in the digital age
(2012) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.50-1536 · Cited by 870 · see citing works
Ybarra, M. L., Diener-West, M., & Leaf, P. J. (2007) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.004 · Cited by 775 · see citing works
Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health
Nixon, C. (2014) · Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics · doi:10.2147/ahmt.s36456 · Cited by 623 · see citing works
Ybarra, M. L., Mitchell, K. J., Wolak, J., & David Finkelhor, B. (2006) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2006-0815 · Cited by 540 · see citing works
Protective factors against bullying and cyberbullying: A systematic review of meta-analyses
Zych, I., Farrington, D. P., & Ttofi, M. M. (2018) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2018.06.008 · Cited by 529 · see citing works
Reijntjes, A. H. A., Kamphuis, J. H., Prinzie, P., Boelen, P. A., van der Schoot, M., & Telch, M. J. (2010) · Aggressive Behavior · doi:10.1002/ab.20374 · Cited by 497 · see citing works
A developmental approach to cyberbullying: Prevalence and protective factors
Kowalski, R. M., Limber, S. P., & McCord, A. (2019) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2018.02.009 · Cited by 497 · see citing works
Cyberbullying: Review of an Old Problem Gone Viral
Aboujaoude, E., Savage, M. W., Starcevic, V., & Salame, W. O. (2015) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.04.011 · Cited by 465 · see citing works
Scheithauer, H., Hayer, T., Petermann, F., & Jugert, G. (2006) · Aggressive Behavior · doi:10.1002/ab.20128 · Cited by 460 · see citing works
Chen, L., Ho, S. S., & Lwin, M. O. (2017) · New Media & Society · doi:10.1177/1461444816634037 · Cited by 440 · see citing works
Zych, I., Ortega-Ruiz, R., & Del Rey, R. (2015) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2015.10.001 · Cited by 439 · see citing works
Cyberbullying and adolescent mental health: systematic review.
Bottino, S. M. B., Bottino, C. M. C., Regina, C. G., Correia, A. V. L., & Ribeiro, W. S. (2015) · Cadernos de Saúde Pública · doi:10.1590/0102-311x00036114 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Cyberbullying: Labels, behaviours and definition in three European countries
Nocentini, A., Calmaestra, J., Schultze-Krumbholz, A., Scheithauer, H., Ortega, R., & Menesini, E. (2010) · Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling · doi:10.1375/ajgc.20.2.129 · Cited by 405 · see citing works
Cyberbullying: The Challenge to Define
Langos, C. (2012) · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2011.0588 · Cited by 393 · see citing works
A meta‐analysis of sex differences in cyber‐bullying behavior: The moderating role of age
Barlett, C., & Coyne, S. M. (2014) · Aggressive Behavior · doi:10.1002/ab.21555 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
Cyberbullying: Who Are the Victims?
Katzer, C., Fetchenhauer, D., & Belschak, F. D. (2009) · Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications · doi:10.1027/1864-1105.21.1.25 · Cited by 391 · see citing works
Daine, K., Hawton, K. E., Singaravelu, V., Stewart, A., Simkin, S., & Montgomery, P. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0077555 · Cited by 369 · see citing works
Didden, R., Scholte, R. H. J., Korzilius, H. P. L. M., Moor, J. M. H. D., Vermeulen, A., O’Reilly, M. F., Lang, R. B., & Lancioni, G. E. (2009) · Developmental Neurorehabilitation · doi:10.1080/17518420902971356 · Cited by 357 · see citing works
Cassidy, W., Faucher, C., & Jackson, M. (2013) · School Psychology International · doi:10.1177/0143034313479697 · Cited by 354 · see citing works
A scoping review on studies of cyberbullying prevalence among adolescents
Brochado, S., Soares, S., & Fraga, S. (2017) · Trauma, Violence, & Abuse · doi:10.1177/1524838016641668 · Cited by 307 · see citing works
A META-ANALYSIS OF THE PREDICTORS OF CYBERBULLYING PERPETRATION AND VICTIMIZATION
Guo, S. (2016) · Psychology in the Schools · doi:10.1002/pits.21914 · Cited by 299 · see citing works
Defining and Measuring Cyberbullying Within the Larger Context of Bullying Victimization
Ybarra, M. L., Boyd, D., Korchmaros, J. D., & Oppenheim, J. (. (2012) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.031 · Cited by 296 · see citing works
Fisher, B. W., Gardella, J. H., & Teurbe-Tolon, A. R. (2016) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0541-z · Cited by 288 · see citing works
Cyberbullying assessment instruments: A systematic review
Berne, S., Frisén, A., Schultze-Krumbholz, A., Scheithauer, H., Naruskov, K., Luik, P., Katzer, C., Erentaite, R., & Zukauskiene, R. (2013) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2012.11.022 · Cited by 241 · see citing works
Tone, E. B., & Tully, E. C. (2014) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579414001199 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
Media Violence and the General Aggression Model
Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2018) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/josi.12275 · Cited by 226 · see citing works
Spears, B. A., Slee, P. T., Owens, L. W., & Johnson, B. (2009) · Zeitschrift für Psychologie · doi:10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.189 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
From cyberbullying to electronic aggression: typology of the phenomenon
Pyżalski, J. (2012) · Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties · doi:10.1080/13632752.2012.704319 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Risk factors associated with cybervictimization in adolescence
Álvarez-García, D., Núñez, J. C., González, A. D., & Rodríguez, C. (2015) · International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2015.03.002 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Principles of Cyberbullying Research
Bauman, S. A. (2012) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203084601 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Wright, M. F. (2014) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2013.0457 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Associations between social media and cyberbullying: a review of the literature
Garett, R., Lord, L. R., & Young, S. D. (2016) · mHealth · doi:10.21037/mhealth.2016.12.01 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Transforming odds ratios into correlations for meta-analytic research.
Bonett, D. G. (2007) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.62.3.254 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Cyberbullying Behavior and Adolescents' Use of Media with Antisocial Content: A Cyclic Process Model
den Hamer, A. H., Konijn, E. A., & Keijer, M. G. (2013) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.0307 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Fridh, M., Lindström, M., & Rosvall, M. (2015) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-015-2239-7 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying in adolescents: Trans-contextual effects and role overlap
Lazuras, L., Barkoukis, V., & Tsorbatzoudis, H. (2017) · Technology in Society · doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2016.12.001 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Navarro, J. N., & Jasinski, J. L. (2013) · Women & Criminal Justice · doi:10.1080/08974454.2013.784225 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Gambin, M., & Sharp, C. (2016) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-016-0625-8 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Badaly, D., Kelly, B. M., Schwartz, D., & Dabney-Lieras, K. (2012) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9787-2 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Tercyak, K. P., Peshkin, B. N., Abraham, A., Wine, L. A., & Walker, L. R. (2007) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.02.017 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Longitudinal patterns of involvement in cyberbullying: Results from a Latent Transition Analysis
Festl, R., Vogelgesang, J., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2016) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.027 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
van Geel, M., Vedder, P., & Tanilon, J. (2014) · JAMA Pediatrics · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.4143 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Mechanisms linking social media use to adolescent mental health vulnerability
Orben, A., Meier, A., Dalgleish, T., & Blakemore, S.-J. (2024) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-024-00307-y · Cited by 220 · see citing works
Social Media Use and Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nesi, J., Burke, T. A., Bettis, A. H., Kudinova, A. Y., Thompson, E. C., MacPherson, H. A., Fox, K. A., Lawrence, H. R., Thomas, S. A., Wolff, J. C., et al. (2021) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102038 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Polanin, J. R., Espelage, D. L., Grotpeter, J. K., Ingram, K., Michaelson, L., Spinney, E., Valido, A., Sheikh, A. E., Torgal, C., & Robinson, L. (2022) · Prevention Science · doi:10.1007/s11121-021-01259-y · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Kasturiratna, K. T. A. S., Hartanto, A., Chen, C. H. Y., Tong, E. M. W., & Majeed, N. M. (2024) · Nature Human Behaviour · doi:10.1038/s41562-024-02011-6 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Stavropoulos, V., Motti-Stefanidi, F., & Griffiths, M. D. (2022) · European Psychologist · doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000451 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Barlett, C. P., Kowalski, R. M., & Wilson, A. M. (2024) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2023.101886 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Calvete, E., Fernández-González, L., & Orue, I. (2023) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/08862605221127221 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Kamaruddin, I. K., Ma’rof, A. M., Mohd Nazan, A. I. N., & Ab Jalil, H. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1014258 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
- Authors
- Marciano, L., Schulz, P. J., & Camerini, A.-L.
- Affiliations
- Università della Svizzera italiana (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Marciano, Laura
- Venue
- Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2020-03
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 163-181
- ISSN
- 1083-6101 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3015846006
- Cited by
- 226
- References
- 69
- Citations by year
- 2026: 47 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 8 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 2.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model (vor)
- Locations
- Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Swiss National Science Foundation (10001C_175874)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection
- Keywords
- cyberbullying perpetration, cyber victimization, adolescents, children, reciprocal effects, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, depression, anxiety, internet use, traditional bullying, longitudinal effects
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
