Online peer victimization

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe ubiquity of information technology offers a variety of opportunities for enhancing social interactions and peer relationships. Empirical evidence has showcased the bright side of social media and computer-mediated communications. However, IT also creates vulnerabilities for deviant behavior. One of the deviant behaviors is Online Peer Victimization (OPV) (Peer Victimization is defined as “an act of aggression from similar-aged peers that is not from parents, other adults, or siblings (Finkelhor & Dzuiba-Leatherman, 1994). It does not require a power imbalance nor is it necessarily intentional or reoccurring (Finkelhor, Turner, & Hamby, 2012)”. We recognize OPV based on the growing body of research underscoring a wide range of associated social, psychological and physical impact along with the financial implications of such behavior. While attempts have been made to define and characterize OPV, the use of confounding terms such as cyber-victimization, cyber-bullying, cyber-aggression, online harassment, and cyber-harassment and their myriad definitions have accentuated the mixed research results. A critical review of the literature finds a dearth of theories and unambiguous measurement mechanisms. Mapping existing academic literature on OPV and related themes, our framework finds that a large proportion of OPV studies focus on the predatory form of online peer victimization. We call for further research in the area specifically on the nuances of the interaction between victims and perpetrators along with deeper research into the affordances of different platforms that allow OPV.