Engl. transl.: Cyberbullying among youth

This study investigates cyberbullying among young people in Flanders, and the link with internet use and diverse parental practices in the field of internet use. Data were gathered at the family level (n = 357 families). In each family, a young person aged 13 to 18 (Mage = 15.73), the mother and the father completed a questionnaire (n = 1,071 individuals). Girls are more likely than boys to become a victim of cyberbullying, and cyberbullying is linked with online risk behaviour. Rule-setting, monitoring and supervision are not related to cyberbullying, but maintaining an open parentchild communication about internet use is associated with reduced perpetration of cyberbullying. It is important that the young are supported in developing internet skills. Parents can be supported in learning how they can stimulate communication about internet use with their child.

"Cyberbullying is related to internet use, but it is different for girls and for boys. Girls significalty reported more to have been a victim of cyberbullying. From the girls that have been a victim, one of five has also been a perpetrator. From boys that have been victims, it is even oneout of three. Concerning the parental mediation, there were no significant differences whether the parents monitored, restricted or regulated their internet use. This is assumely because of the parent's lack of knowledge to monitor aswell as the lack of communication between parents and the child when being a victim/perpetrator. Preventive measures for cyberbullying should focus on a better support and communication between the child and its parents.COnsidering that it is not how many hours the teenager spends on internet, but what and how it is using it that incites cyberbullying." (Symons et al., 2018, pp. 30-31, 33, 35-37, translated by Joanna Beeckmans)