The Relationship Between Internet Addiction, Cyberbullying and Parental Attitudes

Abstract

Aim: This descriptive study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between internet addiction, cyberbullying, cyber victimization and parental attitudes towards them. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 550 students attending the ninth grade who volunteered to participate in this study. Consent from the ethical committee, institute and the parents were obtained for this study. Data were collected using the Student Individual Information form, Young's Internet Addiction Test-short form, Cyberbullying scale, Cyber Victimization scale and Parental Attitudes Scale. Results: It was determined that 47.1% of the students had a computer or a tablet and 99.5% of them had a smartphone; 44.9% of the students used a computer once a week, and 57.4% used a smartphone to watch videos or films or to follow social media. There was a positive relationship between Young's Internet Addiction test and the Cyberbullying scale while there was a negative relationship between internet addiction and cyber victimization (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to these results, educational programs for adolescents and their parents should be developed related to internet use in adolescents and the risks of addiction, and cyberbullying.