Idit Katz1, Dafna Lemish2, Rinat Cohen3, Adi Arden4. 1. Department of Education Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. P.O.B 538, Beer-Sheva 8499000, Israel. Electronic address: katzid@bgu.ac.il. 2. School of Communication and Information Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, 4 Huntington St. New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1071, USA. Electronic address: dafna.lemish@rutgers.edu. 3. Department of Education Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. P.O.B 538, Beer-Sheva 8499000, Israel. Electronic address: rinat_sabag@hotmail.com. 4. Department of Education Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. P.O.B 538, Beer-Sheva 8499000, Israel. Electronic address: adied7@gmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of cyberbullying among adolescents is globally on the rise. This study examined how general and cyber-specific parenting styles impact the prevalence of young adolescents' involvement in cyberbullying as victims and/or perpetrators. METHODS: One hundred and eighty 7th and 8th-grade Israeli students participated (Mean age = 13.25, SD = 0.81; 86 males, 89 females, 5 did not indicate gender). Adolescents reported the frequency of their involvement in cyberbullying, and whether their parents were using "autonomy-supportive" or "psychologically controlling" strategies generally and specifically when mediating internet use. RESULTS: A controlling parenting-style as well as an inconsistent internet-mediation style were associated with a higher prevalence of adolescent involvement in cyberbullying as victims and as perpetrators. Prevalence was higher when parents who generally use a controlling style were less controlling or consistent when mediating internet use. CONCLUSION: Despite the caveats related to parental control, parents who generally use a controlling style should consistently use this style while mediating cyber. Inconsistent parenting style conveys messages concerning internet activities that contradict what teens are accustomed to receiving in other contexts. This inconsistency may encourage them to exploit their relative freedom in the cyber context and act irresponsibly.
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of cyberbullying among adolescents is globally on the rise. This study examined how general and cyber-specific parenting styles impact the prevalence of young adolescents' involvement in cyberbullying as victims and/or perpetrators. METHODS: One hundred and eighty 7th and 8th-grade Israeli students participated (Mean age = 13.25, SD = 0.81; 86 males, 89 females, 5 did not indicate gender). Adolescents reported the frequency of their involvement in cyberbullying, and whether their parents were using "autonomy-supportive" or "psychologically controlling" strategies generally and specifically when mediating internet use. RESULTS: A controlling parenting-style as well as an inconsistent internet-mediation style were associated with a higher prevalence of adolescent involvement in cyberbullying as victims and as perpetrators. Prevalence was higher when parents who generally use a controlling style were less controlling or consistent when mediating internet use. CONCLUSION: Despite the caveats related to parental control, parents who generally use a controlling style should consistently use this style while mediating cyber. Inconsistent parenting style conveys messages concerning internet activities that contradict what teens are accustomed to receiving in other contexts. This inconsistency may encourage them to exploit their relative freedom in the cyber context and act irresponsibly.