Researchers from the University of Cordoba uncover new insights into the role of peer pressure and moral disengagement in adolescent cyberbullying. Learn about their recommendations for effective psychoeducational programs.
Researchers at the University of Cordoba’s Coexistence and Violence Prevention Studies Lab (LAECOVI) have released a new study offering fresh insights into the factors driving cyberbullying among adolescents. The study, conducted by Eva Romera Félix, Blanca Álvarez-Turrado and Daniel Falla Fernández, lays a foundation for improved psychoeducational programs aimed at combatting this pervasive form of online harassment.
Adolescents’ need for social acceptance and belonging to groups often leads to cyberbullying, the researchers found. These behaviors are frequently justified by attackers, allowing them to sidestep feelings of guilt and responsibility for the harm they cause.
The study surveyed 1,487 students, ages 11 to 17, across 12 schools in Cordoba, Spain.
The findings, published in the journal Youth & Society, reveal that peer pressure plays a critical role in encouraging harmful behavior.
“[T]he implicit or explicit pressure of the group spurs the perpetrators to interpret the situation in a different way, to reduce their levels of guilt, responsibility and shame,” Romera, a professor in the Department of Psychology at UCO, said in a news release.
Adolescents demonstrate two main methods of moral disengagement: they either downplay the impact of their actions, assuming the victims are not suffering because they do not overtly complain, or they dehumanize the victims, considering them deserving of the abuse due to perceived inferiority or wrongful behavior.
Falla, a professor in the Department of Psychology at UCO, highlights the unique challenges of cyberbullying, adding, “the coldness of screens generates a moral distance from the victims, which can exacerbate the relationship between peer pressure and cyberbullying.”
The study stresses the need for comprehensive prevention programs that address these psychological mechanisms.
Effective interventions must work to humanize and dignify cybervictims, counteracting the depersonalization that often occurs in digital interactions. By understanding the complex interplay of emotional, moral and social factors, educators and policymakers can develop targeted strategies to mitigate cyberbullying.
This research underscores the importance of fostering empathy and accountability in young people, ultimately aiming to create safer and more supportive online environments.