Problematic mobile phone use and cyberbullying perpetration in adolescents

The phenomenon of problematic mobile phone use has become increasingly common among adolescents during the lockdowns mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research is still scarce on the impact of such use on delinquent cyberspace conduct (i.e. cyberbullying). This study applies the theoretical framework of general strain theory to examine how problematic mobile phone use affects the perpetration of cyberbullying. The results of this empirical examination of longitudinal survey data obtained from 2,161 adolescents in South Korea reveal that problematic mobile phone use is positively associated with engagement in cyberbullying. It is a type of strain that induces negative emotional states and results in the perpetration of cyberbullying. Furthermore, this study investigates the moderating roles of both traditional bullying experiences (i.e. traditional bullying and victimisation) in the association between problematic mobile phone use and the perpetration of cyberbullying. We found traditional bullying perpetration positively moderates the effects of problematic mobile phone use on cyberbullying. On the other hand, we found the moderating effect of traditional bullying victimisation of adolescents was insignificant.

Problematic mobile phone use and cyberbullying perpetration in adolescents

The phenomenon of problematic mobile phone use has become increasingly common among adolescents during the lockdowns mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research is still scarce on the impact of such use on delinquent cyberspace conduct (i.e. cyberbullying). This study applies the theoretical framework of general strain theory to examine how problematic mobile phone use affects the perpetration of cyberbullying. The results of this empirical examination of longitudinal survey data obtained from 2,161 adolescents in South Korea reveal that problematic mobile phone use is positively associated with engagement in cyberbullying. It is a type of strain that induces negative emotional states and results in the perpetration of cyberbullying. Furthermore, this study investigates the moderating roles of both traditional bullying experiences (i.e. traditional bullying and victimisation) in the association between problematic mobile phone use and the perpetration of cyberbullying. We found traditional bullying perpetration positively moderates the effects of problematic mobile phone use on cyberbullying. On the other hand, we found the moderating effect of traditional bullying victimisation of adolescents was insignificant. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Loneliness and problematic mobile phone use among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of escape motivation and self-control.

In this cross-sectional study, we explored the relationship between loneliness and problematic mobile phone use among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the effects of escape motivation and self-control. We recruited 1034 adolescents (mean age 15.76 ± 1.20 years) from China. The results showed that loneliness was positively associated with escape motivation and adolescent problematic mobile phone use. Furthermore, when controlling for gender, escape motivation mediated the relationship between loneliness and problematic mobile phone use, and self-control moderated the relationship between escape motivation and problematic mobile phone use. Specifically, as self-control increased, escape motivation was less likely to induce problematic mobile phone use. Thus, loneliness and escape motivation may be factors that increase the risk of problematic mobile phone use, and self-control should be considered in prevention and intervention strategies aimed at attenuating adolescent problematic mobile phone use.

Emerging Health and Education Issues Related to Internet Technologies and Addictive Problems.

This timely editorial paper outlines some of the main emerging research on technological topics on health and education approaches to Internet use-related problems before and during the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). BACKGROUND: The aim is to provide a brief overview to facilitate a rapid comprehensive and practical approach to these new trends to promote research, interventions, education, and prevention. METHODS: The rapid review includes an analysis of both health and education technologies studies on Internet use-related addiction problems included in the Special Issue "Internet and Smartphone Use-Related Addiction Health Problems: Treatment, Education and Research" to extract recent findings and a few reflections about the development of the field before and during the first wave of the COVID-19. RESULTS: Main findings highlighted studies which tended to be empirical, with a relational type associating specific addictive problems with individual and a few contextual factors in adult populations. Psychometric studies about scales are prevalent, but predictive and mixed methods ones are starting to emerge, together with reviews about conceptualisation, measure, treatment, and prevention. CONCLUSIONS: From the arrival of Internet, our societies have converged in a global culture which has impacted health and educational domains. Internet use-related addiction problems have globally emerged and common knowledge, advances, and strategies exist to overcome challenges which are starting to be tested, and prevention interest has arisen in a pandemic situation with global health problems holistically tackled.