Cyberbullying in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Abstract

Cyberbullying and cybervictimization are important and growing problems that have undesirable health-related outcomes. They are significantly related to school bullying and school victimization. This chapter reports the results of a systematic review of the prevalence of cyberbullying and cybervictimization in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It also reviews the effects of different methods of data collection and questioning techniques on prevalence estimates. Research suggests that girls are more likely to be cybervictims, while boys are more likely to be cyberbullies. Cyberbullying and cybervictimization are related to cognitive and psychological factors such as low self-esteem and loneliness, and they are more prevalent in deprived schools. The chapter finishes by reviewing policies and programmes that are designed to reduce cyberbullying and cybervictimization.