Purpose-The advent of new technologies and social media offers a host of possibilities for teenagers to consolidate social networks. Unfortunately, new technologies also represent a potential setting for experiences of victimization.Methods-The present study explores the prevalence of cyberbullying victimization in a representative sample of 8 194 teenagers in Quebec and the adverse associated consequences.Results-Results indicate that 18% of boys and close to 1 out of 4 girls report at least one incident of cyberbullying in the past 12 months. Cyberbullying victimization contributes to the prediction of low self-esteem and psychological distress over and above other experiences of bullying in schools or other settings.Conclusions-Cyberbullying appear as one important target for the design of prevention and intervention services designed for youth.
KeywordsCyberbullying; psychological distress; low self-esteem Previous studies have explored the serious consequences associated with bullying by peers and reported that victims present various symptoms and difficulties such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, , low self-esteem, psychological distress and even suicide [1][2][3]. As noted by Kowalski and colleagues, Internet has become the preferred way for teenagers and youths to bully their peers [4]. The same authors have defined cyberbullying as an intentional, aggressive and repetitive behavior perpetrated by a more powerful individual against someone more vulnerable through the use of technology such as internet, social media and cellular phones. Internet provides a feeling of public overexposure among young victims. Beyond their own social network, those who are friends of perpetrators are also aware of the bullying. In addition to the large spread of information on the web and the *
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