Exposure to Cyberbullying as a Bystander: An Investigation of Desensitization Effects Among Early Adolescents

• In Event: Online Harassment and Bullying

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether (repeated) exposure to cyberbullying as a bystander has an impact on early adolescents’ moral evaluations in terms of a decrease in empathy and a shift towards a less aversive attitude towards cyberbullying. A two-wave panel study with a 6-month time interval was conducted among a sample of 1,412 adolescents aged 10-13. Cross-lagged panel analysis was used to investigate relationships over time between being a bystander of cyberbullying, empathy, and attitude, while taking into account involvement in cyberbullying as a victim or a perpetrator. The results indicate a negative relationship between standing by and empathy. Exposure to cyberbullying as a bystander at Time1 predicted subsequent lower levels of empathic responsiveness at Time2. The attitude at Time2 was not influenced by seeing more cyberbullying acts at Time1. Further implications of the results for prevention and intervention, and for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Sara Pabian, University of Antwerp

• Heidi Vandebosch, U of Antwerp - Department of Communication Studies

• Katrien Van Cleemput, U of Antwerp

• Sara Bastiaensens, University of Antwerp, Department of Communication Studies