Skip to main content

Cyberbullying

Edward Feller, BA, MD and E. Janopaul-Naylor, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

Cyberbullying or online aggression: behavior via electronic or digital media that communicates hostile or aggressive messages intended to harm or discomfort others 
  • All can be carried out throug...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Avoiding computers, cell phones, and other devices

  • Stress when receiving electronic communications

  • Avoiding conversations about computer use

  • Emotional or peer problems; feeling unsafe at...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Recommendations to physicians

    • Screening for cyberbullying should be included in adolescent mental health assessment: “Have you ever received, sent, or seen messages on the Int...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Screen for cyberbullying at medical visits.

  • Discuss efficacy of online privacy measures.

  • Screen for traditional forms of bullying.

  • Consider psychiatric referral.

Patient Monitoring

REFERENCES

1
Machackova H. Bystander reactions to cyberbullying and cyberaggression: individual, contextual, and social factors. Curr Opin Psychol. 2020;36:1–5.
2
Basile KC, Clayton HB, DeGue S, et al. I...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Allison  KR, Bussey  K. Individual and collective moral influences on intervention in cyberbullying. Comput Human Behav.  2017;74:7–15. [View Abstrac...

CODES

ICD10

  • T74.32XA Child psychological abuse, confirmed, initial encounter

  • T74.31XA Adult psychological abuse, confirmed, initial encounter

  • T76.32XA Child psychological abuse, suspected, initial encoun...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Cyberbullying is anonymous, occurs anywhere, anytime, may leave a permanent record, and occurs with or without witnesses; thus, more difficult to protect against; parents are unaware o...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×