Cyberbullying, Problematic Internet Use, and Emotional Regulation Difficulties in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the extent of the negative effects of technology use in children and adolescents, such as cyberbullying, problematic internet use, and difficulties with emotional regulation. It also seeks to determine whether these issues show significant differences based on gender and to test whether emotional regulation difficulties and problematic internet use significantly predict cyberbullying behaviors. The research was designed using a quantitative relational survey model. The study's sample consists of a total of 325 students attending middle and high schools in Mersin and Ankara. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale – Short Form (DERS-16), Cyberbullying Scale, and Problematic Internet Use Scale – Adolescent Form (PIUS-A) were used as data collection tools. In addition to descriptive statistical analyses, independent samples t-tests and multiple regression analysis were used to test the relationships between variables. The research findings show that emotional regulation difficulties and problematic internet use significantly predict cyberbullying behaviors in children and adolescents. Accordingly, interdisciplinary studies with larger samples, longitudinal designs, and multiple data collection methods are recommended.