Youth, Generative AI, and Social Chatbots: What We’re Learning, and What Comes Next
NOTE: Since April 2020, we have been offering every one of our presentations and trainings in virtual modalities (e.g., Zoom, WebEx, Teams). Reach out if you need specifics, as we’ve optimized the way we engage with our audiences from afar! This training – customized for either youth-serving practitioners or youth themselves – will equip attendees with a […]
When Sexting Goes Wrong: The Extent of Nonconsensual Sharing and Sextortion Among U.S. Teens
Purpose: Sexting, the sending or receiving of sexually explicit or sexually suggestive images or video, isa potentially risky behavior in which many youth participate. The purpose of this study was to examinethe extent of sexting, as well as related harms including nonconsensual sharing of content and sextortion,especially when sexting with those who are not current […]
The Role of Hope in Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention
Introduction: Research is clear that the cognitive-motivational internal asset of hope is significantly related to enhanced life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. It has also shown promise in preventing participation in a variety of negative externalizing behaviors, especially antisociality, maladaptive coping, and various forms of aggression among young people. The current exploration evaluates the relationship between […]
Cyberbullying Through the Lens of Trauma: An Empirical Examination of US Youth
AbstractBackground Scholars have argued that cyberbullying should be characterized as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) given its potential for traumatic impacts on youth development. Considering the current attention surrounding mental health and well-being among adolescents, it seems critical to empirically measure this relationship, and also determine if some types have a stronger negative influence.Methods Data […]
Summary of Our Cyberbullying Research (2007-2025)
At the Cyberbullying Research Center, we have been collecting data from middle and high school students since 2002. We have surveyed approximately 38,000 students from middle and high schools from across the United States through seventeen unique projects. Our two earliest studies (conducted in 2004 and 2005) are excluded from this summary because they were […]
What is Cyberbullying?
“What is Cyberbullying?” is one of the most frequent questions we are asked because many know what it is when it happens, but have trouble wrapping succinct descriptive words around it. Formally, we define it as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices” (from Bullying Beyond […]
Chat/Text Abbreviations & Acronyms
This updated resource helps parents and educators understand the abbreviations and acronyms commonly used by young people in text messages, social media, and online chat rooms. It is meant to serve as a bridge between generations, making it easier to monitor and understand youth conversations online, particularly when concerns about cyberbullying or online safety arise. Citation […]
Social Media, Cyberbullying, and Online Safety Glossary
In our Glossary below, we define the terms you need to know in the realm of social media, cyberbullying, and online safety, so that you are increasingly informed about technological jargon as you work with the youth under your care.(You can also download a distributable PDF of our Social Media, Cyberbullying, and Technology Terms Glossary). […]
Metaverse Risks and Harms Among US youth: Experiences, Gender Differences, and Prevention and Response Measures
Research indicates that participation in metaverse environments and with virtual reality(VR) is increasing among younger populations, and that youth may be the primarydrivers of widespread adoption of these technologies. This will more readily happenif their experiences are safe, secure, and positive. We analyze data from a nationallyrepresentative sample of 5005, 13- to 17-year-olds in the […]
2023 Cyberbullying Data
This study surveyed a nationally-representative sample of 5,005 middle and high school students between the ages of 13 and 17 in the United States. Data were collected in May and June of 2023. Click on the thumbnail images to enlarge. Cyberbullying Victimization. We define cyberbullying as: “Cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly and intentionally harasses, mistreats, […]
