Statement of the Problem:
Due to an increase in the usage of social media and the internet, the prevalence of cyberbullying among adolescents has become a significant concern. According to statistics from the Pew Research Center (2021), 36% of teens in the United States have experienced cyberbullying in the past year. This issue has been studied extensively, but gaps in knowledge remain that hinder effective prevention and intervention strategies. The purpose of this research is to analyze the current state of cyberbullying research and identify areas where further investigation is needed.
Statistical Data:
- 36% of teens in the US have experienced cyberbullying in the past year (Pew Research Center, 2021).
- Cyberbullying is more prevalent among girls than boys (Smith et al., 2018).
- The most common form of cyberbullying is name-calling and insults (Hinduja & Patchin, 2019).
Citation and Reference:
- Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2019). Cyberbullying among youth: A review of the literature and implications for school and community-based prevention and response. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 31(4), 431-440.
- Pew Research Center. (2021). Cyberbullying and online harassment. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/cyberbullying-and-online-harassment/
- Smith, P. K., Mahdavi, J., Carvalho, M., Fisher, S., Russel, M., & Tippett, N. (2018). Cyberbullying and its impact on young people: A systematic review of quantitative studies. Psychological Medicine, 48(1), 115-130.
Research Gap:
One critical research gap that influences the researcher is the lack of understanding of the long-term effects of cyberbullying. While short-term consequences, such as emotional distress and social isolation, are well-documented, the extent to which cyberbullying impacts an individual's physical health and well-being in the long run is not fully understood. This gap hinders efforts to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies that address the lasting effects of cyberbullying.