Factors associated with cyberbullying in school-aged adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to analyse the dimensions of impersonalization, verbal, sexual and visual aggression in the field of cyber aggression in young people (CAY). In addition to verbal, visual cyber victimization, online exclusion or impersonation in cyber victimization in young people (CVY). The aim of the study was to find out sociodemographic factors and habits involved in cyber aggression and cyber victimization in young people in school aged 14-17 years. The research method was a quasi-experimental descriptive, correlational and predictive study based on a quantitative method. Data were obtained in 2022 through two validated questionnaires, one to measure CAY and the other CVY. A total of 472 young people participated in the sample, of whom 199 were boys and 273 girls, all of them from the autonomous city of Ceuta (Spain) aged between 14 and 17. The most relevant results of the study showed low predictive levels in relation to CVY dimensions, in relation to immigration background, number of siblings and grade repetition, and in relation to CAY in terms of grade repetition. These results, together with the discussion of the study, can contribute data to the educational and psychological field to implement intervention and prevention plans in relation to inappropriate use of the Internet by young people.