Cyberbullying among Brazilian schoolchildren: data from the National Student Health Survey, 2019

Malta, Deborah Carvalho; Souza, Juliana Bottoni de; Vasconcelos, Nadia Machado de; Mello, Flávia Carvalho Malta de; Buback, Júlia Bicas; Gomes, Crizian Saar; Pereira, Cimar Azeredo

doi:10.1590/1413-81232024299.19572023

Abstract

This cross-sectional study assessed data from Brazil’s 2019 National Student Health Survey to investigate associations between cyberbullying and sociodemographic, family, mental health, and behavioural factors among Brazilian schoolchildren. Multivariate analysis by Poisson regression found 13.2% prevalence of cyberbullying, which was higher among adolescents who felt nobody cared about them (PR=1.47; 1.36-1.59); felt sad (PR=1.5; 1.4-1.7); reported that life was not worth living (PR=1.71; 1.59-1.84); had no friends (PR=1.68; 1.50-1.87); suffered parental aggression (PR=1.54; 1.45-1.65); missed classes without permission (PR=1.13; 1.06-1.20); used tobacco (PR=1.19; 1.10-1.30); alcoholic beverages (PR=1.16; 1.08-1.25); or illicit drugs (PR=1.14; 1.04-1.25); or had sexual intercourse (PR=1.23; 1.14-1.33). Prevalence was lower among boys (PR=0.85; 0.80-0.91); those 16-17 years old (PR=0.88; 0.82-0.95); and who reported having parental supervision in their free time (PR=0.78; 0.73-0.83). Cyberbullying has a high prevalence, highlighting the importance of monitoring this practice and establishing prevention measures in schools.

Key words:
Cyberbullying; Adolescent; Violence; Epidemiologic studies; Mental health

Introduction

Bullying characteristically involves systematic aggression practiced intentionally and in person¹1 Malta DC, Oliveira WA, Prates EJS, Mello FCM, Moutinho CS, Silva MAI. Bullying among Brazilian adolescents: evidence from the National Survey of School Health, Brazil, 2015 and 2019. Rev Lat Am Enferm 2022; 30(n. esp.):e3678.

2 Menesini E, Salmivalli C. Bullying in schools: the state of knowledge and effective interventions. Psychol Health Med 2017; 22(Sup.1):240-253.^-³3 Gladden RM, Vivolo-Kantor AM, Hamburger ME, Lumpkin CD. Bullying Surveillance Among Youths: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements, Version 1.0. Atlanta, GA. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Education; 2014. and includes physical, verbal, or relational aggression⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15.. It can be considered a type of violence and is an important risk factor for adolescent physical and mental health⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15.^,⁵5 Tang JJ, Yu Y, Wilcox HC, Kang C, Wang K, Wang C, Wu Y, Chen R. Global risks of suicidal behaviours and being bullied and their association in adolescents: School-based health survey in 83 countries. EclinicalMedicine 2020; 19:100253.. This format is being treated in the literature as “traditional bullying”, given the emergence of new forms of victimization, such as aggression practiced in virtual form or “cyberbullying”. The latter, a new form of violence described in the past decade, is characterized by aggression via the Internet involving the publication of offensive images, videos, or messages about an individual or group⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15.^,⁶6 Smith PK, Mahdavi J, Carvalho M, Fisher S, Russell S, Tippett N. Cyberbullying: its nature and impact in secondary school pupils. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2008; 49(4):376-385..

With the constant advances in communications technology, children and teenagers have been increasingly exposed to smartphones. Studies have shown that more than 90% of teenagers from 13 to 17 years old have constant access to smartphones⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15. and spend increasingly longer time online⁷7 Gallimberti L, Buja A, Chindamo S, Terraneo A, Marini E, Rabensteiner A, Vinelli A, Perez LJG, Baldo V. Problematic cell phone use for text messaging and substance abuse in early adolescence (11-to 13-year-olds). Eur J Pediatr 2016; 175(3):355-364., both on mobile phones and using computers⁷7 Gallimberti L, Buja A, Chindamo S, Terraneo A, Marini E, Rabensteiner A, Vinelli A, Perez LJG, Baldo V. Problematic cell phone use for text messaging and substance abuse in early adolescence (11-to 13-year-olds). Eur J Pediatr 2016; 175(3):355-364.. Mobile phones or computers have been used to send messages, videos, telephone calls, e-mails, comments in chatrooms, and messages on social media⁸8 Wendt GW, Lisboa CSM. Agressão entre pares no espaço virtual: definições, impactos e desafios do cyberbullying. Psicol Clin 2013; 25(1):73-87.^,⁹9 Stelko-Pereira AC, Brito RMS, Batista DG, Gondim RS, Bezerra VM. Violência virtual entre alunos do ensino fundamental de diferentes estados do Brasil. Psicol Educ 2018; (46):21-30.. Hamm et al.¹⁰10 Hamm MP, Newton AS, Chisholm A, Shulhan J, Milne A, Sundar P, Ennis H, Scott SD, Hartling L. Prevalence and effect of cyberbullying on children and young people: A scoping review of social media studies. JAMA Pediatr 2015; 169(8):770-777. note that increasing use of the Internet is associated with increased frequency of cyberbullying.

A meta-analysis of 42 studies and 266,888 participants aged from 8 to 22 years found parallels in situations of victimization: two-thirds of young people who suffered cyberbullying also suffered traditional bullying⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15.. Victims of cyberbullying may suffer various kinds of harm, including anxiety, loneliness, depression, psychosomatic symptoms, and suicidal behaviour, while cyberbullies tend to display other kinds of aggressive and delinquent behaviour, as well as more frequent abusive consumption of psychoactive substances¹¹11 Nixon CL. Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health. Adolesc Health Med Ther 2014; 5:143-158.. Moreover, when practiced by peers, both victims and authors of cyberbullying score lower on psychological and physical health tests, perform poorly at school¹²12 Kowalski RM, Limber SP. Psychological, physical, and academic correlates of cyberbullying and traditional bullying. J Adolesc Health 2013; 53:S13-S20., and display low self-esteem¹³13 Brewer G, Kerslake J. Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness. Comput Human Behav 2015; 48:255-260..

Cyberbullying is a contemporary phenomenon and studies of its occurrence, especially on a national scale, are still scarce. In 2019, for the first time, Brazil’s National Student Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar, PeNSE in Portuguese) included a question on cyberbullying and found that 13.2% of schoolchildren reported having been victimized by virtual means¹1 Malta DC, Oliveira WA, Prates EJS, Mello FCM, Moutinho CS, Silva MAI. Bullying among Brazilian adolescents: evidence from the National Survey of School Health, Brazil, 2015 and 2019. Rev Lat Am Enferm 2022; 30(n. esp.):e3678.. It is thus time to examine the factors associated with this practice. This is the first article to examine the issue at the national level.

In that light, the purpose of this study was to investigate associations between cyberbullying and sociodemographic, family, mental health, and behavioural factors in Brazilian schoolchildren from 13 to 17 years old.

Methods

The analysis assessed data from PeNSE 2019, which was conducted by the official bureau of statistics, the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

Students were informed in advance of the goals and main characteristics of the survey and that participation was voluntary and could be interrupted at any time. Those who agreed to take part in it answered a self-applied structured questionnaire via smartphone under the supervision of IBGE researchers. The questionnaire addressed information on socioeconomic position, family context, trying and using cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs, violence, security, accidents, and other conditions of their lives¹⁴14 Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2019. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020.

The sample comprised schoolchildren from 13 to 17 years old in public and private, lower and upper secondary schools, at the following geographical levels: Brazil, Subnational Regions, Federative Units, Municipalities of State Capitals, and the Federal District. The study sampling plan was defined as a two-stage cluster sample, in which the schools represented the first stage of selection and classes of enrolled students, the second. The set of students in the classes selected formed the sample of students. Data were collected from 4,242 schools, 6,612 classes and 159,245 schoolchildren¹⁴14 Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2019. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020. Sampling loss from enrolled, non-respondent students was 15.4% in 2019. Further details of the methodology can be found in other publications¹1 Malta DC, Oliveira WA, Prates EJS, Mello FCM, Moutinho CS, Silva MAI. Bullying among Brazilian adolescents: evidence from the National Survey of School Health, Brazil, 2015 and 2019. Rev Lat Am Enferm 2022; 30(n. esp.):e3678.^,¹⁴14 Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2019. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020.

This study assessed the indicator “suffering cyberbullying”, which was collected through the question: “In the past 30 days, have you felt threatened, offended or humiliated on social media or mobile phone apps?” The response options were “Yes” or “No”.

The explanatory variables selected were:

1) Sociodemographic: a) sex: male or female; b) age range: 13-15, 16-17 years; c) race/colour of skin: white, black, yellow, brown or Indigenous; d) type of school: public or private; e) mother’s schooling: none, primary (incomplete/complete), secondary (incomplete/complete), higher (incomplete/complete).
2) Relationship with parents and relatives: a) suffer parental violence/aggression: “In the past 12 months, how many times have you suffered physical aggression from your mother, father, or guardian?”. Categories: No (never in the past 12 months); Yes (Once; 2 to 5 times; 6 times or more); b) family supervision: “In the past 30 days, how often did your mother, father or guardian really know what you were doing in your free time?”. Categories: No (Never; Rarely); Yes (Sometimes; Most times; Always); c) living with father and/or mother: Categories: No and Yes; d) missing classes without permission: “In the past 30 days, how many days have you missed classes or school without permission from your mother, father, or guardian?”. Categories: No (None in the past 30); Yes (1 or 2 days; 3 to 5 days; 6 to 9 days; 10 or more days).
3) Mental health: a) feeling that no one cared: “In the past 30 days, how often have you felt that no one cares about you?”. Categories: No (Never; Rarely); Yes (Sometimes; Most times; Always); b) feeling sad: “In the past 30 days, how often have you felt sad?”. Categories: No (Never; Rarely) and Yes (Sometimes; Most times; Always); c) close friends: “How many close friends do you have?”. Categories: None; 1 or more; d) feeling that life is not worth living: “In the past 30 days, how often have you felt that life is not worth living?”. Categories: No (Never; Rarely); Yes (Sometimes; Most times; Always).
4) Lifestyle: a) regular use of alcoholic beverages: “In the past 30 days, how many days have you had at least one glass or shot of an alcoholic drink?”. Categories: No (None in the past 30 days); Yes (1 or 2 days; 3 to 5 days; 6 to 9 days; 10 to 19 days; 20 to 29 days; every day); b) regular use of drugs: “In the past 30 days, how many days have you used a drug?”. Categories: No (None in the past 30 days); Yes (1 or 2 days; 3 to 5 days; 6 to 9 days; 10 to 19 days); c) cigarette smoking: “In the past 30 days, how many days have you smoked cigarettes?”. Categories: No (None in the past 30 days); Yes (1 or 2 days; 3 to 5 days; 6 to 9 days; 10 to 19 days; 20 to 29 days; every day); d) use of tobacco: “In the past 30 days, have you used cigarettes or other forms of tobacco?” (No and Yes); e) Sexual intercourse: “Have you ever had sexual intercourse?”. Categories: Yes or No.

For the descriptive analysis, prevalences of cyberbullying and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated, by each explanatory variable. Associations between outcome and variables were identified by bivariate analysis to assess the effect of each variable in isolation. The metric of association estimated was the crude prevalence ratio (PR), and 95%CI. Multivariate analysis was then performed by Poisson regression, and variables with p<0.05 were retained in the final model, and PR was calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata software, version 14.1 (StataCorp LP, College Station, United States), applying the “svy” procedure with weighting. As this was a population-based study, Poisson regression was used with prevalence ratio results, so that the estimates of the variable studied could be better expressed.

The PeNSE was approved by the Brazilian National Research Ethics Commission of the Ministry of Health (CONEP/MS), with ethics appraisal application certificate (Certificado de Apresentação para Apreciação Ética, CAAE) No. 3.249.268¹⁴14 Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2019. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020 and complies with Brazil’s guidelines and regulatory standards for research involving human subjects.

Results

Prevalence of cyberbullying was 13.2% (12.8-13.7), being higher among females (16.2%; 95%CI: 15.6-16.8), schoolchildren at public schools (13.5%; 95%CI: 13.0-14.0) and children of mothers with no schooling (16.2%; 95%CI: 14.2-18.4). Prevalence was also higher among schoolchildren who reported suffering parental aggression (22.6%; 95%CI: 21.6-23.7), without family supervision (18.1%; 95%CI: 17.3-18.9), who did not live with their parents (15.4%; 95%CI: 13.9-17.1), who missed classes without their parent’s permission (18.4%; 95%CI: 17-3-19.4), who felt that no one cared about them (18.6%; 95%CI: 18-19.2), who felt sad (17.0%; 95%CI: 16.5-17.6), who had no friends (26.1%; 95%CI: 23.8-28.6) and who felt that life was not worth living (22.3%; 95%CI: 21-5-23.2). Prevalence of cyberbullying was also higher among schoolchildren who used alcoholic beverages (19.1%; 95%CI: 18.1-20.1), cigarettes (24.8%; 95%CI: 22.4-27.4), tobacco (22.4%; 95%CI: 20.9-24.1) and illicit drugs (26.4%; 95%CI: 23.9-29.1) and who reported having had sexual intercourses (17.1%; 95%CI: 16.2-18.0) (Table 1).

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Table 1
Prevalence and crude prevalence ratio for cyberbullying in adolescents, by explanatory variables. PeNSE 2019.

In the multivariate analysis, higher prevalence of cyberbullying was found in adolescents who suffered parental aggression (PR=1.54; 1.45-1.65), who missed classes without their parent’s permission (PR=1.13; 1.06-1.20), who felt that no one cared about them (PR=1.47; 1.36-1.59), who felt sad (PR=1.53; 1.38-1.68), who reported having no friends (PR=1.68; 1.50-1.87), who felt that life was not worth living (PR=1.71; 1.59-1.84), who used alcoholic beverages (PR=1.16; 1.08-1.25), tobacco (PR=1.19; 1.10-1.30) and illicit drugs (PR=1.14; 1.04-1.25) and who had had sexual intercourses (PR=1.23; 1.14-1.33). On the other hand, cyberbullying was less prevalent among male adolescents (PR=0.85; 0.80-0.91), those who were 16-17 years old (PR=0.88; 0.82-0.95), and those with family supervision (PR=0.78; 0.73-0.83) (Table 2).

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Table 2
Final model of the multivariate analysis of suffering cyberbullying in adolescence. PeNSE 2019.

Discussion

For the first time, this study assessed factors associated with cyberbullying in Brazil nationwide. Cyberbullying was found to be more prevalent among schoolchildren who reported feeling sad and that no one cared about them, having no friends and feeling that life was not worth living, suffering parental aggression, missing classes without their parents’ permission and engaging in risky behaviour, such as using tobacco, alcohol and drugs and having sexual intercourses. Family supervision, being male and from 16 to 17 years old were associated with lower prevalence of cyberbullying.

In Brazil, the PeNSE found that the prevalence of traditional bullying was 23.0% (22.4-23.6)¹⁴14 Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2019. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020, nearly twice as high as cyberbullying. That data agrees with a meta-analysis that estimated the global prevalence of victimization by bullying was 24.3% (95%CI: 20.3-28.8%) and by cyberbullying, 11.1% (95%CI: 9.12-13.44%)⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15..

This study found higher prevalence of cyberbullying among younger adolescents (13 to 15 years old). This finding disagrees with those of some international studies, which have pointed to greater exposure among older children. Tarapdar and Kellett¹⁵15 Tarapdar S, Kellett M, Young People. Cyberbullying: insights and age-comparison indicators from a youth-led study in England. Child Indic Res 2013; 6(3):461-477. noted that English children from 14 to 16 years old were more often victims of cyberbullying than children from 12 to 13 years old, and that the practice got more complex and “creative” forms, such as filming the victims and posting the videos on the Internet.

This study found that girls suffered more cyberbullying, a controversial issue in the literature. A meta-analysis by Barlett and Coyne¹⁶16 Barlett C, Coyne SM. A meta-analysis of sex differences in cyber-bullying behavior: the moderating role of age. Aggress Behav 2014; 40:474-488., which examined 122 articles, showed that men were slightly more likely to cyberbully than women; nonetheless, the overall effect was moderated by age. Accordingly, the girls engaged more in cyberbullying in early and mid-adolescence, while the boys showed higher levels of cyberbullying towards the end of adolescence. They hypothesised that the cognitive development necessary for more subtle and sophisticated forms of aggression arrives earlier in girls than in boys¹⁶16 Barlett C, Coyne SM. A meta-analysis of sex differences in cyber-bullying behavior: the moderating role of age. Aggress Behav 2014; 40:474-488.. We found higher prevalences among girls, which should be explored in greater depth in qualitative studies. Nonetheless, we agree that earlier maturity in girls may be an important factor in the earlier onset of this practice.

Cyberbullying was strongly associated with indicators of worse mental health. Adolescents who reported having no friends, feeling that no one cared about them, and that life was not worth living reported more cyberbullying. These findings agree with the literature, which has indicated that victims of cyberbullying were at significantly greater risk of depression, suicidal ideation and attempted, and self-harm⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15.^,¹⁷17 Modecki KL, Minchin J, Harbaugh AG, Guerra NG, Runions KC. Bullying prevalence across contexts: A meta-analysis measuring cyber and traditional bullying. J Adolesc Health 2014; 55(5):602-611.

18 Bottino SMB, Bottino CMC, Regina CG, Correia AVL, Ribeiro WS. Cyberbullying and adolescent mental health: systematic review. Cad Saude Publica 2015; 31(3):463-475.^-¹⁹19 Malta DC, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Sá ACMGN, Marinho F, Pinto IV, Silva MMA, Silva MAI. Prevalência de bullying e fatores associados em escolares brasileiros, 2015. Cien Saude Colet 2019; 24(4):1359-1368., that is, returned worse indicators of mental health, as in this study.

Cyberbullying was also associated with consumption of substances including tobacco, alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs. The literature also indicates that experiences of cyberbullying can lead to substance abuse, poorly academic performance and other health problems⁴4 Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15..

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasises that cyberbullying is complex, globally growing issue, and that violence perpetrated online against children is diversifying. Not only cyberbullying, but online child sexual exploitation and abuse, and the production and transmission of material containing child sexual abuse and other forms of victimization are also increasing. The WHO specifies strategies for tackling cyberbullying, including programmes on prevention for young people, online safety programmes for children and adolescents, Internet regulation and security measures²⁰20 World Health Organization (WHO). What works to prevent online violence against children? [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2022 [cited 2023 jun 16]. Available from: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa /3.0/igo/..

In Brazil, one encouraging development came in January 2024, with the passing of the new Law 14.811/2024 stipulating that municipal governments must introduce protocols for the protection of children and adolescents against all forms of violence in school environments, as well as providing capacity-building for teachers²¹21 Brasil. Presidência da República. Lei nº 14.811, de 12 de janeiro de 2024. Institui medidas de proteção à criança e ao adolescente contra a violência nos estabelecimentos educacionais ou similares, prevê a Política Nacional de Prevenção e Combate ao Abuso e Exploração Sexual da Criança e do Adolescente e altera o Decreto-Lei nº 2.848, de 7 de dezembro de 1940 (Código Penal), e as Leis nºs 8.072, de 25 de julho de 1990 (Lei dos Crimes Hediondos), e 8.069, de 13 de julho de 1990 (Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente). Diário Oficial da União; 2024.. These measures are to be carried out in partnership with states and the Union. The law specifies penalties and fines against adults who bully children or adolescents and, in cases of aggression by adolescents, they will be subject to socio-educational measures and, in cases involving children, their legal guardians will be liable to prosecution. With cyberbullying, in the event intimidation occurs via the Internet, social media, applications or games, the penalty will be 2 to 4 years’ detention, plus a fine²¹21 Brasil. Presidência da República. Lei nº 14.811, de 12 de janeiro de 2024. Institui medidas de proteção à criança e ao adolescente contra a violência nos estabelecimentos educacionais ou similares, prevê a Política Nacional de Prevenção e Combate ao Abuso e Exploração Sexual da Criança e do Adolescente e altera o Decreto-Lei nº 2.848, de 7 de dezembro de 1940 (Código Penal), e as Leis nºs 8.072, de 25 de julho de 1990 (Lei dos Crimes Hediondos), e 8.069, de 13 de julho de 1990 (Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente). Diário Oficial da União; 2024..

The limitations of this study include its cross-sectional design, meaning that the associations found are not necessarily causal, in that the outcome and explanatory variables were measured at the same time, precluding conclusions as to cause and effect. Accordingly, the findings should be confirmed by other means, such as cohort or other studies. The variable “cyberbullying” was measured by only one question, following the model used by the WHO in the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)²²22 World Health Organization (WHO). Noncommunicable Disease Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting. GLOBAL SCHOOL-BASED STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY. Core Expanded Questions. 2021 Version [Internet]. [cited 2023 jun 16]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/surveillance/systems-tools/global-school-based-student-health-survey/questionnaire.
https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicabl... . Other models of questionnaire, addressing different aspects of the issue²³23 Cook S. Cyberbullying data, facts and statistics for 2018-2024 [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 jun 16]. Available from: https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/cyberbullying-statistics/.
https://www.comparitech.com/internet-pro... and with larger numbers of questions, do exist and can be recommended and validated in future versions of the PeNSE. The variables contemplated in the mental health section may also have limited associations, with possible correlations among them; nonetheless, their effect on the variable “cyberbullying” is of major importance and significant in related interpretations.

In conclusion, this study found high prevalence of cyberbullying, which was greater among girls and younger adolescents and associated with worse indicators of mental health, use of psychoactive substances and parental aggression. It is important to monitor cyberbullying, just as it is important to think about how to face it effectively, given that offensive messages can spread and persist permanently in virtual environments. Also, as it is difficult to identify aggressors on the Internet, this form of violence is even more challenging, as few are punished, and perpetrators’ identities remain hidden²⁴24 Souza SB, Simão AMV, Caetano AP. Cyberbullying: Percepções acerca do Fenômeno e das Estratégias de Enfrentamento. Psicol Reflex Crit 2014; 27(3):582-590.. These facts underline the need for inter-sector action involving healthcare, education, society and families, with a view to advancing on the 2030 agenda for adolescent wellbeing and to stop all forms of violence²⁵25 Patton GC, Sawyer SM, Santelli JS, Ross DA, Afifi R, Allen NB, Arora M, Azzopardi P, Baldwin W, Bonell C, Kakuma R, Kennedy E, Mahon J, McGovern T, Mokdad AH, Patel V, Petroni S, Reavley N, Taiwo K, Waldfogel J, Wickremarathne D, Barroso C, Bhutta Z, Fatusi AO, Mattoo A, Diers J, Fang J, Ferguson J, Ssewamala F, Viner RM. Our future: a Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Lancet 2016; 387(10036):2423-2478.^,²⁶26 Kleinert S, Horton R. Adolescent health and wellbeing: a key to a sustainable future. Lancet 2016; 387(10036):2355-2356..

References

¹
Malta DC, Oliveira WA, Prates EJS, Mello FCM, Moutinho CS, Silva MAI. Bullying among Brazilian adolescents: evidence from the National Survey of School Health, Brazil, 2015 and 2019. Rev Lat Am Enferm 2022; 30(n. esp.):e3678.
²
Menesini E, Salmivalli C. Bullying in schools: the state of knowledge and effective interventions. Psychol Health Med 2017; 22(Sup.1):240-253.
³
Gladden RM, Vivolo-Kantor AM, Hamburger ME, Lumpkin CD. Bullying Surveillance Among Youths: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements, Version 1.0. Atlanta, GA. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Education; 2014.
⁴
Li C, Wang P, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández M, Blasco-Fontecilla H. Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022: 1-15.
⁵
Tang JJ, Yu Y, Wilcox HC, Kang C, Wang K, Wang C, Wu Y, Chen R. Global risks of suicidal behaviours and being bullied and their association in adolescents: School-based health survey in 83 countries. EclinicalMedicine 2020; 19:100253.
⁶
Smith PK, Mahdavi J, Carvalho M, Fisher S, Russell S, Tippett N. Cyberbullying: its nature and impact in secondary school pupils. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2008; 49(4):376-385.
⁷
Gallimberti L, Buja A, Chindamo S, Terraneo A, Marini E, Rabensteiner A, Vinelli A, Perez LJG, Baldo V. Problematic cell phone use for text messaging and substance abuse in early adolescence (11-to 13-year-olds). Eur J Pediatr 2016; 175(3):355-364.
⁸
Wendt GW, Lisboa CSM. Agressão entre pares no espaço virtual: definições, impactos e desafios do cyberbullying. Psicol Clin 2013; 25(1):73-87.
⁹
Stelko-Pereira AC, Brito RMS, Batista DG, Gondim RS, Bezerra VM. Violência virtual entre alunos do ensino fundamental de diferentes estados do Brasil. Psicol Educ 2018; (46):21-30.
¹⁰
Hamm MP, Newton AS, Chisholm A, Shulhan J, Milne A, Sundar P, Ennis H, Scott SD, Hartling L. Prevalence and effect of cyberbullying on children and young people: A scoping review of social media studies. JAMA Pediatr 2015; 169(8):770-777.
¹¹
Nixon CL. Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health. Adolesc Health Med Ther 2014; 5:143-158.
¹²
Kowalski RM, Limber SP. Psychological, physical, and academic correlates of cyberbullying and traditional bullying. J Adolesc Health 2013; 53:S13-S20.
¹³
Brewer G, Kerslake J. Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness. Comput Human Behav 2015; 48:255-260.
¹⁴
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2019. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020
¹⁵
Tarapdar S, Kellett M, Young People. Cyberbullying: insights and age-comparison indicators from a youth-led study in England. Child Indic Res 2013; 6(3):461-477.
¹⁶
Barlett C, Coyne SM. A meta-analysis of sex differences in cyber-bullying behavior: the moderating role of age. Aggress Behav 2014; 40:474-488.
¹⁷
Modecki KL, Minchin J, Harbaugh AG, Guerra NG, Runions KC. Bullying prevalence across contexts: A meta-analysis measuring cyber and traditional bullying. J Adolesc Health 2014; 55(5):602-611.
¹⁸
Bottino SMB, Bottino CMC, Regina CG, Correia AVL, Ribeiro WS. Cyberbullying and adolescent mental health: systematic review. Cad Saude Publica 2015; 31(3):463-475.
¹⁹
Malta DC, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Sá ACMGN, Marinho F, Pinto IV, Silva MMA, Silva MAI. Prevalência de bullying e fatores associados em escolares brasileiros, 2015. Cien Saude Colet 2019; 24(4):1359-1368.
²⁰
World Health Organization (WHO). What works to prevent online violence against children? [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2022 [cited 2023 jun 16]. Available from: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa /3.0/igo/.
²¹
Brasil. Presidência da República. Lei nº 14.811, de 12 de janeiro de 2024. Institui medidas de proteção à criança e ao adolescente contra a violência nos estabelecimentos educacionais ou similares, prevê a Política Nacional de Prevenção e Combate ao Abuso e Exploração Sexual da Criança e do Adolescente e altera o Decreto-Lei nº 2.848, de 7 de dezembro de 1940 (Código Penal), e as Leis nºs 8.072, de 25 de julho de 1990 (Lei dos Crimes Hediondos), e 8.069, de 13 de julho de 1990 (Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente). Diário Oficial da União; 2024.
²²
World Health Organization (WHO). Noncommunicable Disease Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting. GLOBAL SCHOOL-BASED STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY. Core Expanded Questions. 2021 Version [Internet]. [cited 2023 jun 16]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/surveillance/systems-tools/global-school-based-student-health-survey/questionnaire
» https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/surveillance/systems-tools/global-school-based-student-health-survey/questionnaire
²³
Cook S. Cyberbullying data, facts and statistics for 2018-2024 [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 jun 16]. Available from: https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/cyberbullying-statistics/.
» https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/cyberbullying-statistics
²⁴
Souza SB, Simão AMV, Caetano AP. Cyberbullying: Percepções acerca do Fenômeno e das Estratégias de Enfrentamento. Psicol Reflex Crit 2014; 27(3):582-590.
²⁵
Patton GC, Sawyer SM, Santelli JS, Ross DA, Afifi R, Allen NB, Arora M, Azzopardi P, Baldwin W, Bonell C, Kakuma R, Kennedy E, Mahon J, McGovern T, Mokdad AH, Patel V, Petroni S, Reavley N, Taiwo K, Waldfogel J, Wickremarathne D, Barroso C, Bhutta Z, Fatusi AO, Mattoo A, Diers J, Fang J, Ferguson J, Ssewamala F, Viner RM. Our future: a Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Lancet 2016; 387(10036):2423-2478.
²⁶
Kleinert S, Horton R. Adolescent health and wellbeing: a key to a sustainable future. Lancet 2016; 387(10036):2355-2356.

Funding
SVSA TED 67/2023. Gates Foundation and Vital Strategy. CNPQ - DC Malta Productivity Grant.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
26 Aug 2024
Date of issue
Sept 2024

History

Received
19 Dec 2023
Accepted
18 Apr 2024
Published
20 Apr 2024

Este é um artigo publicado em acesso aberto sob uma licença Creative Commons

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Kowalski RM, Limber SP. Psychological, physical, and academic correlates of cyberbullying and traditional bullying. J Adolesc Health 2013; 53:S13-S20.

[13] ¹³
Brewer G, Kerslake J. Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness. Comput Human Behav 2015; 48:255-260.

[14] ¹⁴
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2019. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020

[15] ¹⁵
Tarapdar S, Kellett M, Young People. Cyberbullying: insights and age-comparison indicators from a youth-led study in England. Child Indic Res 2013; 6(3):461-477.

[16] ¹⁶
Barlett C, Coyne SM. A meta-analysis of sex differences in cyber-bullying behavior: the moderating role of age. Aggress Behav 2014; 40:474-488.

[17] ¹⁷
Modecki KL, Minchin J, Harbaugh AG, Guerra NG, Runions KC. Bullying prevalence across contexts: A meta-analysis measuring cyber and traditional bullying. J Adolesc Health 2014; 55(5):602-611.

[18] ¹⁸
Bottino SMB, Bottino CMC, Regina CG, Correia AVL, Ribeiro WS. Cyberbullying and adolescent mental health: systematic review. Cad Saude Publica 2015; 31(3):463-475.

[19] ¹⁹
Malta DC, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Sá ACMGN, Marinho F, Pinto IV, Silva MMA, Silva MAI. Prevalência de bullying e fatores associados em escolares brasileiros, 2015. Cien Saude Colet 2019; 24(4):1359-1368.

[20] ²⁰
World Health Organization (WHO). What works to prevent online violence against children? [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2022 [cited 2023 jun 16]. Available from: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa /3.0/igo/.

[21] ²¹
Brasil. Presidência da República. Lei nº 14.811, de 12 de janeiro de 2024. Institui medidas de proteção à criança e ao adolescente contra a violência nos estabelecimentos educacionais ou similares, prevê a Política Nacional de Prevenção e Combate ao Abuso e Exploração Sexual da Criança e do Adolescente e altera o Decreto-Lei nº 2.848, de 7 de dezembro de 1940 (Código Penal), e as Leis nºs 8.072, de 25 de julho de 1990 (Lei dos Crimes Hediondos), e 8.069, de 13 de julho de 1990 (Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente). Diário Oficial da União; 2024.

[22] ²²
World Health Organization (WHO). Noncommunicable Disease Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting. GLOBAL SCHOOL-BASED STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY. Core Expanded Questions. 2021 Version [Internet]. [cited 2023 jun 16]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/surveillance/systems-tools/global-school-based-student-health-survey/questionnaire
» https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/surveillance/systems-tools/global-school-based-student-health-survey/questionnaire

[23] ²³
Cook S. Cyberbullying data, facts and statistics for 2018-2024 [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 jun 16]. Available from: https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/cyberbullying-statistics/.
» https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/cyberbullying-statistics

[24] ²⁴
Souza SB, Simão AMV, Caetano AP. Cyberbullying: Percepções acerca do Fenômeno e das Estratégias de Enfrentamento. Psicol Reflex Crit 2014; 27(3):582-590.

[25] ²⁵
Patton GC, Sawyer SM, Santelli JS, Ross DA, Afifi R, Allen NB, Arora M, Azzopardi P, Baldwin W, Bonell C, Kakuma R, Kennedy E, Mahon J, McGovern T, Mokdad AH, Patel V, Petroni S, Reavley N, Taiwo K, Waldfogel J, Wickremarathne D, Barroso C, Bhutta Z, Fatusi AO, Mattoo A, Diers J, Fang J, Ferguson J, Ssewamala F, Viner RM. Our future: a Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Lancet 2016; 387(10036):2423-2478.

[26] ²⁶
Kleinert S, Horton R. Adolescent health and wellbeing: a key to a sustainable future. Lancet 2016; 387(10036):2355-2356.

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