Understanding Cyber Violence: Factors Influencing Cyberbullying among School-Aged Children
摘要
The pervasive nature of cyberbullying among adolescents necessitates a nuanced understanding of its underlying factors. This study examines the relationships between various predictors and cyberbullying behaviors, focusing on discriminant prejudice, exposure to harmful content, digital sex crimes, and cyberbullying education. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) on a sample of 1,999 cyberbullying perpetrators identified in the 2022 National Cyber Violence Survey conducted by the National Information Society Agency, this research provides comprehensive insights into these associations. Findings indicate that discriminant prejudice, exposure to harmful content, and digital sex crimes are significantly associated with cyberbullying. Additionally, cyberbullying education is positively related to online harassment perception but not significantly related to cyberbullying tendencies. Online harassment perception is negatively related to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is positively associated with rationalization. Moreover, cyberbullying disclosure is associated with both increased remorse and rationalization. These results underscore the complex interplay between individual attitudes, online experiences, and educational interventions in shaping cyberbullying behaviors. The study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the role of targeted anti-prejudice programs and cyberbullying education in fostering a safer online environment for adolescents.