Gender Differences in the Link Between Cyberbullying and Parental Supervision Trajectories

Abstract

This study aims to explore joint trajectories of parental supervision and cyberbullying for boys and girls, respectively. Drawing on a longitudinal sample of South Korean youth, we employ a latent group-based trajectory modeling approach to examine overlapping patterns of parental supervision and cyberbullying trajectories, and gender differences in the bivariate overlap. We found that boys with higher levels of parental supervision were more likely to be in the Noninvolved cyberbullying group, whereas girls with the highest level of parental supervision tended to engage in cyberbullying at an early age but soon desisted from it after the initial involvement. Results suggest that effects of parental supervision on cyberbullying may vary across gender.

Gender Differences in Cyberbullying Victimization From a Developmental Perspective: An Examination of Risk and Protective Factors

“…Given the potential overlap between cyberbullying and traditional bullying (Donner et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2017), and the close link between school bullying, poverty, and boys (Eisler & Schissel, 2004), such linkages may help to explain why boys in lower socioeconomic positions may be more susceptible to cyberbullying victimization. Finally, in general, parents tend to monitor girls more closely than boys (Crosnoe et al, 2002;Svensson, 2003), therefore, boys who are looser in the parental radar may face a greater risk of victimization in the cyber world (Song et al, 2020), as shown in our findings.…”

“…Because research appears to be inconsistent when examining gender differences in prevalence rates of cyberbullying victimization, it would be especially useful to examine gender differences in cyberbullying victimization from a developmental perspective in which differences in developmental pathways can be investigated. Indeed, it is possible that there are gender-specific differences in the developmental nature of cyberbullying victimization trajectories, a possibility that has been seldomly explored (except see, Song et al, 2020).…”

“…Recently, some studies have begun to examine how gender may impact cyberbullying trajectories (Song et al, 2020). Of these studies, researchers find that there are gender differences in cyberbullying trajectories (Song et al, 2020), with girls showing a rapid decline through later developmental stages in cyberbullying, and girls having a greater proportion within the desistance trajectories than boys. Research has yet, however, to explore if there are unique predictors associated with differing trajectories for boys and girls.…”

“…For example, one’s relationship to their parents can serve as a source of capable guardianship through monitoring youth’s access and activities on the Web. In fact, parental support has influenced cyberbullying victimization across studies and differing samples in that higher levels of parental support are associated with a decreased risk of experiencing cyberbullying victimization (Chang et al, 2015; Patchin & Hinduja, 2010; Song et al, 2020; Wang et al, 2009; Yoo, 2021). Perhaps related to socialization processes in that girls tend to receive more supervision and support than boys (Crosnoe et al, 2002; Hagan & Kuebli, 2007), it is possible that parental support will function differently for boys and girls as it relates to cyberbullying victimization.…”

Do Negative Emotions Matter? Paths From Victimization to Cyber and Traditional Bullying From a General Strain Theory Perspective

“…Cyberbullying was composed of items that estimated the bullying behavior perpetrated through the use of technology (Song et al, 2020). Youth were asked to report the number of instances they engaged in cyberbullying over the previous 12 months (e.g., intentional circulation of false information, insult other people online).…”