An Examination of the Social Level Predictors of Cyberbullying Victimisation

Abstract

With the increasing use of information & communication technologies, and the popularity of various social media applications, incidents of cyberbullying have also increased. A number of studies have been conducted in the recent years to investigate how various social factors influence one’s vulnerability to cyberbullying. This paper reviews the existing literature and develops a conceptual framework on critical social factors predicting cyberbullying victimization. Such a framework would be immensely useful for governments and policymakers as it gives a comprehensive view and understanding of the critical predictors of cyberbullying. Such an understanding is important for devising a holistic approach to addressing cyberbullying through potential victim empowerment and placement of early preventive measures. The conceptual framework developed in this paper identifies family background, school climate and peer relationships as critical social factors for cyberbullying victimization.