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Cited by 607Bullying, Victimization, and AggressionSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesImpact of Technology on Adolescents

Self-harm, suicidal behaviours, and cyberbullying in children and young people: systematic review

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John, Ann, Glendenning, Alexander Charles, Marchant, Amanda, Montgomery, Paul, Stewart, Anne, Wood, Sophie, Lloyd, Keith, Hawton, Keith·2018·Journal of Medical Internet Research
DOI 10.2196/jmir.9044PMC PMC5934539

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Given the concerns about bullying via electronic communication in children and young people and its possible contribution to self-harm, we have reviewed the evidence for associations between cyberbullying involvement and self-harm or suicidal behaviors (such as suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts) in children and young people. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review the current evidence examining the association between cyberbullying involvement as victim or perpetrator and self-harm and suicidal behaviors in children and young people (younger than 25 years), and where possible, to meta-analyze data on the associations. METHODS: An electronic literature search was conducted for all studies published between January 1, 1996, and February 3, 2017, across sources, including MEDLINE, Cochrane, and PsycINFO. Articles were included if the study examined any association between cyberbullying involvement and self-harm or suicidal behaviors and reported empirical data in a sample aged under 25 years. Quality of included papers was assessed and data were extracted. Meta-analyses of data were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 33 eligible articles from 26 independent studies were included, covering a population of 156,384 children and young people. A total of 25 articles (20 independent studies, n=115,056) identified associations (negative influences) between cybervictimization and self-harm or suicidal behaviors or between perpetrating cyberbullying and suicidal behaviors. Three additional studies, in which the cyberbullying, self-harm, or suicidal behaviors measures had been combined with other measures (such as traditional bullying and mental health problems), also showed negative influences (n=44,526). A total of 5 studies showed no significant associations (n=5646). Meta-analyses, producing odds ratios (ORs) as a summary measure of effect size (eg, ratio of the odds of cyber victims who have experienced SH vs nonvictims who have experienced SH), showed that, compared with nonvictims, those who have experienced cybervictimization were OR 2.35 (95% CI 1.65-3.34) times as likely to self-harm, OR 2.10 (95% CI 1.73-2.55) times as likely to exhibit suicidal behaviors, OR 2.57 (95% CI 1.69-3.90) times more likely to attempt suicide, and OR 2.15 (95% CI 1.70-2.71) times more likely to have suicidal thoughts. Cyberbullying perpetrators were OR 1.21 (95% CI 1.02-1.44) times more likely to exhibit suicidal behaviors and OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.10-1.37) times more likely to experience suicidal ideation than nonperpetrators. CONCLUSIONS: Victims of cyberbullying are at a greater risk than nonvictims of both self-harm and suicidal behaviors. To a lesser extent, perpetrators of cyberbullying are at risk of suicidal behaviors and suicidal ideation when compared with nonperpetrators. Policy makers and schools should prioritize the inclusion of cyberbullying involvement in programs to prevent traditional bullying. Type of cyberbullying involvement, frequency, and gender should be assessed in future studies.

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  • The rise of online anonymity has facilitated an increase in cyberbullying, which has been directly linked to self-harm behaviors among adolescents.

    “The rise of online anonymity has facilitated an increase in cyberbullying, which has been directly linked to self-harm behaviors among adolescents [77].”

    From The Impact of Social Media & Technology on Child and Adolescent Mental Health (2025) · cites this paper as [77]

    The Results section reports an association between cybervictimization and self-harm in children and young people (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.65–3.34). The Introduction says perpetrators can be anonymous, and the Discussion suggests anonymity may change who is vulnerable online. Neither section establishes that online anonymity has risen or caused an increase in cyberbullying; the reported link to self-harm is an association, not a demonstrated causal effect. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Many expected consequences of quarantine and social/physical distancing are themselves major risk factors for mental health problems.

    “Many of the anticipated consequences of quarantine14 and associated social and physical distancing measures are themselves key risk factors for mental health issues.”

    From Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for action for mental health science (2020) · cites this paper as [22]

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Authors
John, A., Glendenning, A. C., Marchant, A., Montgomery, P., Stewart, A., Wood, S., Lloyd, K., & Hawton, K.
Affiliations
  • Swansea University (GB)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
  • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
  • University of Oxford (GB)
Corresponding author
John, Ann
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
Published
2018-04-19
Volume
20
Issue
4
Pages
e129
ISSN
1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2196/jmir.9044
PMC
PMC5934539
OpenAlex
W2802043748
Cited by
580
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 66 · 2025: 68 · 2024: 97 · 2023: 85 · 2022: 73 · 2021: 85 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 5
FWCI
7.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Health and Care Research Wales (SCS-14-11)
  • Public Health Wales
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
  • Economic and Social Research Council (ES/N012267/2)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
cyberbullying, self-harm, suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, cyber victimization, cyberbullying perpetration, children and young people, adolescents, bullying, mental health
MeSH terms
Cyberbullying, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Self-Injurious Behavior, Young Adult, Suicidal Ideation

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