Abstract
Cyber aggression (CBA) is an increasingly common virtual behavior among younger people, especially adolescents. Although Brazil is one of the countries in which adolescents spend more time on the Internet, the association of CBA with the sociodemographic profile of these adolescents is still little known. This study aimed to: (i) identify the sociodemographic profile of adolescents who engage in CBA and its association with problematic internet use (PIU), problematic smartphone use (PSU), emotional problems, and parental mediation; (ii) identify the main predictors for CBA and examine how these behaviors are related through a network analysis. A total of 275 Brazilian adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years (M = 12.8, SD = 1.29) completed the following instruments: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Internet Addiction Test, Smartphone Addiction Scale, and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The main results indicated that 37.4% of the adolescents have engaged in CBA. The prevalence of PSU and PIU was significantly higher in these participants. We also found a significantly higher frequency of risk/harmful behaviors among CBA. Adolescent CBA also had a higher frequency of severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The main predictor for CBA was engagement in risk/harmful online behaviors, but no significant differences were detected in the number of parental mediation behaviors between adolescent CBA and non-CBA. Cyber aggression is a complex phenomenon, and the data from this study contribute to a deeper understanding of CBA and how adolescents use and behave in virtual environments.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Álvarez-García, D., Núñez, J. C., García, T., & Barreiro-Collazo, A. (2018). Individual, family, and community predictors of cyber-aggression among adolescents. The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 10(2), 79–88. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/t60632-000
Andrade, A., Scatena, A., Martins, G., Pinheiro, B. O., Becker da Silva, A., Enes, C. C., de Oliveira, W. A., & Kim, D. J. (2020a). Validation of Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) in Brazilian adolescents. Addictive Behaviors, 106540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106540
Andrade, A. L. M., Scatena, A., de Oliveira Pinheiro, B., de Oliveira, W. A., Lopes, F. M., & De Micheli, D. (2021). Psychometric Properties of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI-BR) in Brazilian Adolescents. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00542-x
Andrade, A. L. M., Scatena, A., Bedendo, A., Enumo, S. R. F., Dellazzana-Zanon, L. L., Prebianchi, H. B., Macgado, W. L., et al. (2020b). Findings on the relationship between Internet addiction and psychological symptoms in Brazilian adults. International Journal of Psychology, 55(6), 941–950. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12670
App Annie. (2022). State of Mobile 2022. New York. Retrieved February 30, 2022, from https://www.appannie.com/en/go/state-of-mobile-2022/
Arrivillaga, C., Rey, L., & Extremera, N. (2022). Psychological distress, rumination and problematic smartphone use among Spanish adolescents: An emotional intelligence-based conditional process analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 296, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.021
Arruda, E. P., dos Santos Gomes, S., & Arruda, D. E. P. (2021). Technological mediation and educational process in times of Covid-19 pandemic. Revista Ibero-Americana de Estudos em Educação, 16(3), 1730–1753. https://doi.org/10.21723/riaee.v16i3.14788
Brazilian Internet Management Committee (BIMC). (2020). TIC DOMICÍLIOS Pesquisa Sobre o Uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação nos Domicílios Brasileiros - 2019. [ICT HOUSEHOLDS Survey on the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Brazilian Households] (Vol. 1). Brasilia: Comitê Gestor de Internet. Retrieved February 30, 2022, from https://cetic.br/media/docs/publicacoes/2/20201123121817/tic_dom_2019_livro_eletronico.pdf
Byrne, J., & Burton, P. (2017). Children as Internet users: How can evidence better inform policy debate? Journal of Cyber Policy, 2(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/23738871.2017.1291698
Chan, T. K., Cheung, C. M., & Lee, Z. W. (2021). Cyberbullying on social networking sites: A literature review and future research directions. Information & Management, 58(2), 103411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2020.103411
Conti, M. A., Jardim, A. P., Hearst, N., Cordas, T. A., Tavares, H., & de Abreu, C. N. (2012). Evaluation of semantic equivalence and internal consistency of a Portuguese version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Revista de Psiquiatria Clínica, 39, 106–110. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832012000300007
Corcoran, L., Mc Guckin, C., & Prentice, G. (2015). Cyberbullying or cyber aggression?: A review of existing definitions of cyber-based peer-to-peer aggression. Societies, 5(2), 245–255. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/5/2/245#
de Oliveira Pinheiro, B., Monezi Andrade, A. L., Lopes, F. M., Reichert, R. A., de Oliveira, W. A., da Silva, A. M. B., & De Micheli, D. (2022). Association between quality of life and risk behaviors in Brazilian adolescents: An exploratory study. Journal of Health Psychology, 27(2), 341–351. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320953472
Elhai, J. D., Dvorak, R. D., Levine, J. C., & Hall, B. J. (2017). Problematic smartphone use: A conceptual overview and systematic review of relations with anxiety and depression psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 251–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.030
Geng, J., & Lei, L. (2021). Relationship between stressful life events and cyberbullying perpetration: Roles of fatalism and self-compassion. Child Abuse & Neglect, 120, 105176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105176
Haddon, L., Cino, D., Doyle, M-A., Livingstone, S., Mascheroni, G., & Stoilova, M. (2020). Children's and young people's digital skills: a systematic evidence review. KU Leuven, Leuven: ySKILLS. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4160176.svg
Hu, H. F., Liu, T. L., Hsiao, R. C., Ni, H. C., Liang, S. H., Lin, C. F., Chan, H. L., Hsieh, Y. H., Wang, L. J., Lee, M. J., Chou, W. J., & Yen, C. F. (2019). Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration in adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: Correlations with depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(10), 4170–4180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04060-7
Huang, S., Lai, X., Li, Y., Luo, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Understanding juveniles’ problematic smartphone use and related influencing factors: A network perspective. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 10(3), 811–826. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2021.00048
International Telecommunication Union (ITU). (2020). How many children and young people have internet access at home? Estimating digital connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic. ITU, New York, 2020. Retrieved February 30, 2022, from https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/How-many-children-and-young-people-have-internet-access-at-home-2020_v2.pdf
Jenaro, C., Flores, N., & Frías, C. P. (2018). Systematic review of empirical studies on cyberbullying in adults: What we know and what we should investigate. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 38, 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.12.003
Kircaburun, K., Demetrovics, Z., Király, O., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Childhood emotional trauma and cyberbullying perpetration among emerging adults: A multiple mediation model of the role of problematic social media use and psychopathology. InteRnational Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18(3), 548–566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9941-5
Kowalski, R. M., Limber, S. P., & McCord, A. (2019). A developmental approach to cyberbullying: Prevalence and protective factors. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 45, 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.02.009
Lee, J. M., Hong, J. S., Yoon, J., Peguero, A. A., & Seok, H. J. (2018). Correlates of adolescent cyberbullying in South Korea in multiple contexts: A review of the literature and implications for research and school practice. Deviant Behavior, 39(3), 293–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1269568
Livingstone, S., Winther, D. K., & Saeed, M. (2019). Global kids online comparative report (No. inorer1059). Retrieved February 30, 2022, from https://ideas.repec.org/p/ucf/inorer/inorer1059.html
Mancinelli, E., Ruocco, E., Napolitano, S., & Salcuni, S. (2022). A network analysis on self-harming and problematic smartphone use - The role of self-control, internalizing and externalizing problems in a sample of self-harming adolescents. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 112, 152285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152285
Marciano, L., Schulz, P. J., & Camerini, A. L. (2020). Cyberbullying perpetration and victimization in youth: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 25(2), 163–181. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmz031
Martínez-Monteagudo, M. C., Delgado, B., García-Fernández, J. M., & Ruíz-Esteban, C. (2020). Cyberbullying in the university setting. Relationship with emotional problems and adaptation to the university. Frontiers in Psychology, 3074. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03074
Masoomeh, S. S., Kabiri, S., Smith, H., & Cochran, J. K. (2020). A longitudinal study of Iranian fans’ cyberbullying: The utility of social learning theory. Deviant Behavior, 41(12), 1616–1635. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2019.1637996
Meng, S. Q., Cheng, J. L., Li, Y. Y., Yang, X. Q., Zheng, J. W., Chang, X. W., & Shi, J. (2022). Global prevalence of digital addiction in general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 102128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102128
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2017). PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) 2015 results. Paris: OECD. Retrieved February 30, 2022, from http://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?primaryCountry=BRA&treshold=10&topic=PI
Patias, N. D., Machado, W. D. L., Bandeira, D. R., & Dell’Aglio, D. D. (2016). Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) - short form: Adaptation and validation for Brazilian adolescents. Psico-USF, 21(3), 459–469. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712016210302
Pera, A. (2020). The psychology of addictive smartphone behavior in young adults: Problematic use, social anxiety, and depressive stress. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 573473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.573473
Ranjan, L. K., Gupta, P. R., Srivastava, M., & Gujar, N. M. (2021). Problematic internet use and its association with anxiety among undergraduate students. Asian Journal of Social Health and Behavior, 4(4), 137. https://doi.org/10.4103/shb.shb_30_21
Sciacca, B., Laffan, D. A., Norman, J. O. H., & Milosevic, T. (2022). Parental mediation in pandemic: Predictors and relationship with children’s digital skills and time spent online in Ireland. Computers in Human Behavior, 127, 107081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107081
Sohn, S. Y., Rees, P., Wildridge, B., Kalk, N. J., & Carter, B. (2019). Prevalence of problematic smartphone usage and associated mental health outcomes amongst children and young people: A systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 356. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2350-x
Spritzer, D. T., Andrade, A. L. M., Xavier, A. Z., da Silva, G. T., Kim, H. S., Kaliszewska-Czeremska, K., Laconi, S., Igarashi, T., Passos, I. C., & Hauck, S. (2022). The Self-perception of Text message Dependence Scale (STDS): A Brazilian-Portuguese validation and expansion of its psychometric properties. Current Psychology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02957-8
STATISTA. (2020). Internet usage in Brazil. STATISTA, New York, 2020. Retrieved February 30, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/study/22625/internet-usage-in-brazil-statista-dossier/
Steinfeld, N. (2021). Parental mediation of adolescent Internet use: Combining strategies to promote awareness, autonomy and self-regulation in preparing youth for life on the web. Education and Information Technologies, 26(2), 1897–1920. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10342-w
Sun, Y., & Wilkinson, J. S. (2020). Parenting style, personality traits, and interpersonal relationships: A model of prediction of internet addiction. International Journal of Communication, 14, 23. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/11226. Accessed 2 Oct 2023.
Vacha-Haase, T., Nilsson, J. E., Reetz, D. R., Lance, T. S., & Thompson, B. (2000). Reporting practices and APA editorial policies regarding statistical significance and effect size. Theory & Psychology, 10(3), 413–425. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354300103006
Wachs, S., Wright, M. F., Sittichai, R., Singh, R., Biswal, R., Kim, E. M., ..., & Maziridou, E. (2019). Associations between witnessing and perpetrating online hate in eight countries: The buffering effects of problem-focused coping. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(20), 3992. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16203992
Wilson, D., Witherup, K., & Payne, A. A. (2020). Risk and Protective Factors for Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization. The Palgrave Handbook of International Cybercrime and Cyberdeviance (1257–1281). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78440-3_56
Wright, M. F. (2016). Cybervictimization and substance use among adolescents: The moderation of perceived social support. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 16(1–2), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533256X.2016.1143371
Wright, M. F. (2017). Parental mediation, cyberbullying, and cybertrolling: The role of gender. Computers in Human Behavior, 71, 189–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.01.059
Wright, M. F., & Wachs, S. (2018). Does parental mediation moderate the longitudinal association among bystanders and perpetrators and victims of cyberbullying? Social Sciences, 7(11), 231. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci7110231
Zlamal, R., Machackova, H., Smahel, D., Abramczuk, K., Ólafsson, K., & Staksrud, E. (2020). EU Kids Online 2020: Technical report. https://doi.org/10.21953/lse.04dr94matpy7
Funding
This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. The last author received a CNPq fellowship (Proc. 303163/2020–8).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Andrade, A. L. M. and Ramos, R. F. S. were responsible for the study design. Andrade, A. L. M. was responsible to data analyses. Andrade, A. L. M; Ramos, R. F. S; Scatena, A. were responsible to draft the manuscript. Oliveira, W. A. and Kim, H. S cooperated in the technical procedures, interpretation of the data, and revision of the manuscript. All the authors are responsible for its contents, having revised and approved its final version and all the authors declare no competing interests.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Statement of Human Rights
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (no. 1,833,092, CAAE: 62073316.1.0000.5505) and by the Committee of the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (protocol number CAAE 75837417.1.0000.5481; nº 2.383.838).
Informed Consent
Informed consent was obtained from all parents of the adolescents. The Term of Assent was obtained from all adolescents.
Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Ramos, R.F.S., Scatena, A., Kim, H.S. et al. Brazilian Digital Warriors: Unraveling the Nexus of Adolescent Cyber Aggressors, Problematic Internet & Smartphone Use, Emotional Struggles, and Parental Mediation. Trends in Psychol. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-023-00338-z
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-023-00338-z