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Kangrga M, Nikolic D, Santric-Milicevic M, Rakic L, Knezevic T, Djuricic G, Stojkovic J, Radosavljevic N, Mihajlovic S, Medjo B, Lackovic M. Recognizing the Frequency of Exposure to Cyberbullying in Children: The Results of the National HBSC Study in Serbia. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:172. [PMID: 38397284 PMCID: PMC10887102 DOI: 10.3390/children11020172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Nowadays, children are able to enrich their reality via the Internet. Unfortunately, this may increase their risk of becoming victims of cyberbullying. We analyzed the health characteristics and risk behavior of two cohorts of children in Serbia; those who reported being exposed to cyberbullying and those who did not. The statistical differences and logistic regression models were applied to the data on 3267 students collected from 64 schools participating in the 2017 Serbian Study on health behavior in school-age children (HBSC). Children exposed to cyberbullying reported having the following health problems on a daily basis: headache (18.5%), back pain (19.5%), depression (21.6%), irritability or bad mood (17.7%), nervousness (16.0%), sleep problems (16.1%), and dizziness (21.2%). As for the different types of risk behavior, cigarette smoking ranging from six to nine days ever was the most prevalent (26.9%). It was followed closely by getting drunk more than 10 times ever (24.1%). Compared to non-victims, victims were found to be at a higher risk of perceived back pain (OR = 2.27), depression (OR = 1.43), irritability or bad mood (OR = 2.07), nervousness (OR = 2.23), and dizziness (OR = 2.43) as well as being injured once or twice (OR = 1.98) or three or more times (OR = 4.09). Victims were associated with further risk factors: having smoked more than five cigarettes ever in life (OR = 1.73) and having gotten drunk two to three times (OR = 1.71) or four or more times (OR = 1.65). As the number of school-age children using social media continues to rise, we must prioritize educating them about self-help and community resources for addressing related health issues with greater speed and intensity. The findings from Serbia suggest that while children may be aware of their health issues, they may be unaware of their link to cyberbullying, which could hinder their ability to address these issues promptly. The respondents' attention to the health implications of cyberbullying could be increased by reformulating the survey questions used in the HBSC study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Kangrga
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Children's Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dejan Nikolic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Children's Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milena Santric-Milicevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Laboratory for Strengthening Capacity and Performance of Health System and Workforce for Health Equity, Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Rakic
- Clinic for Hematology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Knezevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Children's Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Goran Djuricic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Radiology, University Children's Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jasna Stojkovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Children's Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Natasa Radosavljevic
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Sladjana Mihajlovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital "Dragisa Misovic", Heroja Milana Tepica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Medjo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Lackovic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital "Dragisa Misovic", Heroja Milana Tepica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Religious Freedom, Cybersecurity, and the Stability of Society: Problems and Perspectives from a European Perspective. RELIGIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rel13060551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Although religious freedom significantly affects certain people, the guarantees for its observance also have implications for the quality of social life and the security of the state. Polarization and conflict between religious groups is not only a conflict for new believers, but also contributes to the weakening of the internal state. It seems that one of the elements of such a destabilization of states is the promotion and lack of reaction to the phenomenon of ridiculing religion and its followers in cyberspace. As can be seen from reports on the situation in Poland, there are increasing signs of hostility to religion, stereotyping, and discrimination. The issues can be considered on two levels: individual protection for freedom of speech, and state protection. At the end of this paper, proposals for measures to prevent crimes based on religion or belief are presented.
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Zhu C, Huang S, Evans R, Zhang W. Cyberbullying Among Adolescents and Children: A Comprehensive Review of the Global Situation, Risk Factors, and Preventive Measures. Front Public Health 2021; 9:634909. [PMID: 33791270 PMCID: PMC8006937 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.634909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cyberbullying is well-recognized as a severe public health issue which affects both adolescents and children. Most extant studies have focused on national and regional effects of cyberbullying, with few examining the global perspective of cyberbullying. This systematic review comprehensively examines the global situation, risk factors, and preventive measures taken worldwide to fight cyberbullying among adolescents and children. Methods: A systematic review of available literature was completed following PRISMA guidelines using the search themes "cyberbullying" and "adolescent or children"; the time frame was from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2019. Eight academic databases pertaining to public health, and communication and psychology were consulted, namely: Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Communication & Mass Media Complete, CINAHL, and PsycArticles. Additional records identified through other sources included the references of reviews and two websites, Cyberbullying Research Center and United Nations Children's Fund. A total of 63 studies out of 2070 were included in our final review focusing on cyberbullying prevalence and risk factors. Results: The prevalence rates of cyberbullying preparation ranged from 6.0 to 46.3%, while the rates of cyberbullying victimization ranged from 13.99 to 57.5%, based on 63 references. Verbal violence was the most common type of cyberbullying. Fourteen risk factors and three protective factors were revealed in this study. At the personal level, variables associated with cyberbullying including age, gender, online behavior, race, health condition, past experience of victimization, and impulsiveness were reviewed as risk factors. Likewise, at the situational level, parent-child relationship, interpersonal relationships, and geographical location were also reviewed in relation to cyberbullying. As for protective factors, empathy and emotional intelligence, parent-child relationship, and school climate were frequently mentioned. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of cyberbullying has increased significantly in the observed 5-year period, and it is imperative that researchers from low and middle income countries focus sufficient attention on cyberbullying of children and adolescents. Despite a lack of scientific intervention research on cyberbullying, the review also identified several promising strategies for its prevention from the perspectives of youths, parents and schools. More research on cyberbullying is needed, especially on the issue of cross-national cyberbullying. International cooperation, multi-pronged and systematic approaches are highly encouraged to deal with cyberbullying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyan Zhu
- School of Political Science and Public Administration, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiqing Huang
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Richard Evans
- College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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