Cyberbullying: a review of the literature on harassment through the Internet and other electronic means

Fam Community Health. 2010 Apr-Jun;33(2):82-93. doi: 10.1097/FCH.0b013e3181d593e4.

Abstract

The present article is a review of the literature of cyberbullying. Main findings are summarized regarding issues of definition of cyberbullying, differences, and similarities with traditional bullying; its extent; the forms of cyberbullying; the characteristics of cyberbullies and cybervictims; the effects of cyberbullying on the psychosocial development of youth; age and gender differences of cyberbullying; and perceived causes of cyberbullying. In addition, the steps that can be undertaken by youth, parents, teachers, and schools to deal with the problem and possible pathways for interventions, from a public health perspective, at the individual, class, organizational, and community levels are presented from the literature. Finally, possible legal solutions deriving from both criminal and civil law are presented.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bullying*
  • Humans
  • Internet* / statistics & numerical data