Social Epidemiology of Early Adolescent Cyberbullying in the United States

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and sociodemo-graphic correlates of cyberbullying victimization and perpetra-tion among a racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse population-based sample of 11-12-year-old early adolescents.METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adoles-cent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (Year 2; N = 9429). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors (sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, country of birth, household income, parental education) and adolescent-reported cyberbul-lying victimization and perpetration.RESULTS: In the overall sample, lifetime prevalence of cyber-bullying victimization was 9.6%, with 65.8% occurring in the past 12 months, while lifetime prevalence of cyberbullying per-petration was 1.1%, with 59.8% occurring in the past 12 months. Boys reported higher odds of cyberbullying perpetration (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01-2.92) but lower odds of cyberbullying victimization (AOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.94) than girls. Sexual minorities reported 2.83 higher odds of cyberbullying victimiza-tion (95% CI 1.69-4.75) than nonsexual minorities. Lower household income was associated with 1.64 (95% CI 1.34 -2.00) higher odds of cyberbullying victimization than higher household income, however household income was not associ-ated with cyberbullying perpetration. Total screen time, particu-larly on the internet and social media, was associated with both cyberbullying victimization and perpetration.CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one in 10 early adolescents reported cyberbullying victimization. Pediatricians, parents, teachers, and online platforms can provide education to support victims and prevent perpetration for early adolescents at the highest risk of cyberbullying.