Sebastian Wachs1, Michelle F Wright2,3, Alexander T Vazsonyi4. 1. Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany. 2. Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA. 3. Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. 4. Department of Family Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Problem behaviour theory postulates that different forms of norm violations cluster and can be explained by similar antecedents. One such cluster may include cyberbullying and cyberhate perpetration. A potential explanatory mechanism includes toxic online disinhibition, characterised by anonymity, an inability to empathise and to recognise and interpret social cues. The current study to develop a better understanding of the relationship between cyberhate and cyberbullying to inform effective intervention and prevention efforts. AIMS: To test the link between cyberbullying and cyberhate and whether this relationship was moderated by toxic online disinhibition. METHODS: Self-report questionnaires on cyberbullying, cyberhate, and toxic online disinhibition were completed by 1,480 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old (M = 14.21 years; SD = 1.68). RESULTS: Increases in cyberbullying perpetration and toxic online disinhibition were positively related to cyberhate perpetration. Furthermore, cyberbullies reported more cyberhate perpetration when they reported higher levels of toxic online disinhibition and less frequent cyberhate perpetration when they reported lower levels of toxic online disinhibition. CONCLUSION: The current study provides evidence of a possible link between cyberbullying and cyberhate perpetration, moderated by toxic online disinhibition. This suggests that, to be effective, prevention and intervention programmes should (i) consider the co-occurrence of varying forms of cyberaggression and (ii) consider potential effects of the online environment on aggressive online behaviour among young people.
BACKGROUND: Problem behaviour theory postulates that different forms of norm violations cluster and can be explained by similar antecedents. One such cluster may include cyberbullying and cyberhate perpetration. A potential explanatory mechanism includes toxic online disinhibition, characterised by anonymity, an inability to empathise and to recognise and interpret social cues. The current study to develop a better understanding of the relationship between cyberhate and cyberbullying to inform effective intervention and prevention efforts. AIMS: To test the link between cyberbullying and cyberhate and whether this relationship was moderated by toxic online disinhibition. METHODS: Self-report questionnaires on cyberbullying, cyberhate, and toxic online disinhibition were completed by 1,480 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old (M = 14.21 years; SD = 1.68). RESULTS: Increases in cyberbullying perpetration and toxic online disinhibition were positively related to cyberhate perpetration. Furthermore, cyberbullies reported more cyberhate perpetration when they reported higher levels of toxic online disinhibition and less frequent cyberhate perpetration when they reported lower levels of toxic online disinhibition. CONCLUSION: The current study provides evidence of a possible link between cyberbullying and cyberhate perpetration, moderated by toxic online disinhibition. This suggests that, to be effective, prevention and intervention programmes should (i) consider the co-occurrence of varying forms of cyberaggression and (ii) consider potential effects of the online environment on aggressive online behaviour among young people.
Authors: Giulio de Felice; Jessica Burrai; Emanuela Mari; Fabrizio Paloni; Giulia Lausi; Anna Maria Giannini; Alessandro Quaglieri Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-07 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Sebastian Wachs; Juan Manuel Machimbarrena; Michelle F Wright; Manuel Gámez-Guadix; Soeun Yang; Ruthaychonnee Sittichai; Ritu Singh; Ramakrishna Biswal; Katerina Flora; Vassiliki Daskalou; Evdoxia Maziridou; Jun Sung Hong; Norman Krause Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-31 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Sebastian Wachs; Michelle F Wright; Ruthaychonnee Sittichai; Ritu Singh; Ramakrishna Biswal; Eun-Mee Kim; Soeun Yang; Manuel Gámez-Guadix; Carmen Almendros; Katerina Flora; Vassiliki Daskalou; Evdoxia Maziridou Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-18 Impact factor: 3.390
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