Cyberbullying and Social Disruption: A Gendered Analysis of 2022 NCVS School Crime Supplement Data

• In Event: Findings From the Scholars of the University of Cincinnati Cybercrime and Behavior Online Research Group

Abstract

Today’s youth are growing up in a time with unprecedented access to media and the digital space, leading to the potential for cyberbullying victimization. Cyberbullying victimization may have a greater impact than traditional bullying on the lives of adolescents and may cause significant social disruption in the lives of those victimized. Using data from the 2022 NCVS: School Crime Supplement, this study assessed whether or not cyberbullying victims experience immediate social disruption, the differences in the rate of cyberbullying victimization by gender, and whether or not there are significant differences in the level of disruption experienced should disruption be experienced at all. Results showed that adolescent girls are at a greater risk of cyberbullying victimization and greater risk of experiencing social disruption than adolescent boys. Further, social disruption as a result of cyberbullying victimization is significantly higher for adolescent girls than it is for adolescent boys. Findings indicate a need for gendered interventions and response to cyberbullying victimization.

Authors

• Rachel M. Corsello, University of South Dakota

• Joseph L. Nedelec, University of Cincinnati