Relationship between Cyberbullying and Substance Abuse

Relationship between Cyberbullying and Substance Abuse

Chan and Greca (2016) allege that there is a correlation between substance abuse and peer victimization. They assert that youths who engage in substance abuse are likely to perpetrate cyberbullying. Research suggests that there is a relationship between widespread addiction, binge drinking, and cyber victimization among high school students. Youths aged below 18 who use marijuana and alcohol engage in cyberbullying. Individuals who take alcohol are likely to harass their colleagues via the internet. On the other hand, youths who use marijuana, tobacco, and inhalants are prone to committing sexual harassment. The study by Chan and Greca (2016) found that the majority of the youths who perpetrated cyberbullying were involved in alcohol and cigarette use. The researchers suggested further research to determine the factors behind the correlations between violence and substance abuse.

Sexuality and Cyberbullying

Limited studies investigate the relationship between cyberbullying and sexual orientation. Nonheterosexual teenagers are at a high risk of being victims of traditional bullying. Similarly, they are susceptible to cyber victimization. Wensley and Campbell (2012) allege that there is an association between sexuality and cyberbullying. Individuals who do not declare their sexual orientation explicitly are at a high risk of being victims of cyber victimization. Wensley and Campbell (2012) allege, “The rates of cyber victimization are more elevated in nonheterosexual than in heterosexual men” (p. 652). Nevertheless, the same does not apply to female nonheterosexuals. The degree of cyberbullying among women depends on the rate of internet use. Women who spend a lot of time on the internet are likely to be victims of cyberbullying. Wensley and Campbell (2012) allege that sexuality does not influence the perpetration of cyberbullying. The rates of “cyberbullying perpetration do not differ with the sexuality of either men or women” (p. 652). The researchers suggest further studies to determine the connection between sexuality and perpetration of cyber victimization.

Annotated Bibliography