Exploring the Relationship Between Cyberbullying and Technology Addiction in Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to investigate the relationship between cyberbullying/victimization and technology addiction among Turkish adolescents.

Design and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 572 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18. The study employed the Bullying and Cyber Bullying Scale for Adolescents (BCS-A) to evaluate cyber victimization (BCS-A VCSs) and cyberbullying (BCS-A BCSs) subdimensions, in conjunction with the Technology Addiction Scale (TAS).

Results: Among adolescents, 38.5% exhibited a moderate level of technology addiction. The results revealed positive and weak correlations between TAS scores and BCS-A VCSs (p < 0.001), as well as between BCS-A VCSs and BCS-A BCSs scores at a moderate level (p < 0.001). The study revealed that exposure to inappropriate content, encountering humiliating expressions on social media, sending inappropriate messages or videos to friends, and facing threats were significant predictors of BCS-A VCS scores. Furthermore, the transmission of inappropriate messages or videos, the encounter of cyberbullying victims, the exclusion of friends from online platforms, the experience of distress caused by humiliating expressions, and the sharing of private content were identified as significant predictors of the total BCS-A BCSs score.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated a correlation between elevated technology addiction and involvement in cyberbullying or victimization among adolescents. Moreover, the study identified significant predictors of cyberbullying and cyber victimization. It is recommended that health professionals develop intervention programs for safe technology use and the prevention of cyberbullying and victimization. These programs should aim to raise societal awareness, particularly among parents and teachers.

Keywords: addiction; adolescent; cyberbullying; technology.