The Predictability of Routine Activity Theory for Cyberbullying Victimization Among Children and Youth: Risk and Protective Factors
Abstract
Cyberbullying has been pervading worldwide with negative implications for victims. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand this phenomenon and the factors that predict it, as the basis for effective prevention and intervention efforts. The current research aims to examine routine activity theory (RAT) as a theoretical framework predictive of cyberbullying victimization (CV) among children and youth. It was hypothesized that each of the RAT measures and the convergence of all measures predict CV. Data were collected from 5,719 primary, middle, and high school Israeli students (51.9% females) during the 2019–2020 school year via online questionnaires. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted to assess the predictability of CV from RAT measures, separately and converged. All RAT measures, separately and converged, predict CV. While off-line trust negatively predicts CV, other control variables, that is, online trust, educational institution phase, and gender, do not. Implications for school programs and guidelines for parents address the risk and protective factors of CV found. This study provides support for the predictability of CV from RAT and expands the knowledge of risk and protective factors predictive of CV.
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According to Routine Activity Theory, settings lacking teacher support enable cyberbullies to operate unimpeded and leave victims vulnerable.
“According to the Routine Activity Theory, such settings enable cyberbullies to operate unimpeded and leave victims vulnerable without teacher support74–76.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [74]
Parental mediation acts as a protective factor against cyberbullying victimization.
“This parental mediation acts as a protective factor, aligning with the Routine Activity Theory, which emphasizes the role of capable guardians as a protective factor against experiencing deviant acts74–76,153.”
From Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization (2024) · cites this paper as [74]
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- Authors
- Aizenkot, D.
- Affiliations
- Ashkelon Academic College (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Aizenkot, Dana
- ORCID
- Aizenkot, Dana
- Venue
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-02-26
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 13-14
- Pages
- NP11857-NP11882
- ISSN
- 0886-2605 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-6518
- OpenAlex
- W3130005615
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 3.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection
- Keywords
- cyber victimization, routine activity theory, children and young people, risk factors, protective factors, online trust, school students, cyberbullying prevention
- MeSH terms
- Cyberbullying, Adolescent, Female, Humans, Male, Students, Crime Victims, Internet, Bullying, Protective Factors
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