Abstract
Cyberbullying is associated with considerable negative mental and psychosocial consequences in children and young people, making it a serious public health concern. To review the highest level of available evidence, a systematic mapping review was conducted to identify systematic reviews that investigated the relationship between cyberbullying and mental and psychological outcomes in young people. Topic-relevant bibliographic databases and online resources were searched to identify reviews published since 2007. Data were extracted using a coding tool developed for this study. Methodological quality of included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR criteria. Nineteen systematic reviews satisfied the inclusion criteria and they reported a strong negative association between cyberbullying and mental health outcomes in young people. Meta-analysis was performed in 11 reviews and narrative synthesis in 8 reviews. Data were derived from predominantly cross-sectional studies and a clear causal relationship between cyberbullying and mental outcomes cannot be established. Two-third of the included reviews were classified to be of low or unclear quality, due to the lack of quality assessment of the primary studies included in individual reviews. This systematic map consolidates available evidence at review level and confirms the existing gaps in longitudinal and qualitative evidence synthesis. Closer examination of the moderating factors influencing cyberbullying behaviors in future research can advance our understanding and inform the development of tailored programs of intervention to mitigate the negative impact of this phenomenon.
Highlights
Internet-enabled electronic devices occupy a central part of the lives of many people, in particular, children and young people (CYP); from the use of computers and smartphones for school work and gaming to connecting with friends through social media.[1,2] Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and android in 2008, the technical functionality of screen-based devices has become more mobile and interactive, and so have their pervasiveness and use, leading to a rise in ownership of electronic devices by CYP from as young as three years of age.[3,4] The near-universalInternet usage among CYP is highlighted by recent statistics.For example, in the United Kingdom, 99 percent of 12–15-year olds are online.[4]
Systematic reviews were identified from title and abstract screening of a concurrent review undertaken at the EPPI-Centre.[46]
None of the reviews was restricted to longitudinal study designs only, and none conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis of CYP’s views about cyberbullying
Summary
Internet-enabled electronic devices occupy a central part of the lives of many people, in particular, children and young people (CYP); from the use of computers and smartphones for school work and gaming to connecting with friends through social media.[1,2] Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and android in 2008, the technical functionality of screen-based devices has become more mobile and interactive, and so have their pervasiveness and use, leading to a rise in ownership of electronic devices by CYP from as young as three years of age.[3,4] The near-universalInternet usage among CYP is highlighted by recent statistics.For example, in the United Kingdom, 99 percent of 12–15-year olds are online.[4]. Internet-enabled electronic devices occupy a central part of the lives of many people, in particular, children and young people (CYP); from the use of computers and smartphones for school work and gaming to connecting with friends through social media.[1,2] Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and android in 2008, the technical functionality of screen-based devices has become more mobile and interactive, and so have their pervasiveness and use, leading to a rise in ownership of electronic devices by CYP from as young as three years of age.[3,4] The near-universal. Despite the benefits and opportunities afforded by Internet-enabled mobile technologies, there have been concerns about the growing rate of harmful online activities involving deliberate malice and harassment against CYP, such as cyberbullying.
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