Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

7-2026

Abstract

The anonymity afforded by cyberspace enables individuals to engage in harmful online behaviours, most notably cyberbullying perpetration, which has become a pressing social and psychological concern worldwide. Despite extensive research on its antecedents, outcomes and interventions, insights into cyberbullying perpetration remain scattered, highlighting the value of a comprehensive synthesis to capture its multifaceted nature. This systematic review synthesised findings from 54 meta-analyses, comprising 314 effect sizes (Sample size: Range = 3273–1,479,614, Mdn = 46,604) across diverse populations worldwide. Results indicate that approximately one in ten individuals engage in peer cyberbullying, with even higher prevalence in partner-directed forms such as cyber dating abuse. Although small associations with cyberbullying perpetration have been observed for older age and male gender, such effects are limited, underscoring that cyberbullying can emerge across diverse demographic groups. Beyond demographics, perpetrators are more likely to score high on dark personality traits and moral disengagement, while negative family, peer, and romantic dynamics, prior involvement in traditional bullying, and risky internet use further elevate risk. Contrary to the belief that perpetrators “escape unscathed,” cyberbullies may experience significant psychological and behavioural costs, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, substance use, and poor academic outcomes. Importantly, intervention programmes showed modest but significant effectiveness in reducing perpetration, particularly when targeting multiple ecological levels across family, peers, schools, and online environments. Together, these findings underscore that cyberbullying is a global, life-course phenomenon shaped by converging risk factors and carrying meaningful costs for perpetrators and victims, pointing to the need for multifaceted, evidence-based interventions.

Keywords

Cyberbullying, Perpetration, Prevalence, Antecedents, Outcomes, Systematic review

Discipline

Psychology | Public Health

Research Areas

Psychology

Areas of Excellence

Digital transformation

Publication

Computers in Human Behavior Reports

Volume

23

First Page

1

Last Page

31

ISSN

2451-9588

Identifier

10.1016/j.chbr.2026.101175

Publisher

Elsevier

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2026.101175

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