Links to Cyberbullying of Risky Online Behavior and Social Media Addiction among Students in Grades 7-9 in Bangkok

Abstract

Objective: This present study examined the connections regarding cyberbullying, risky online behavior and social media addiction, among 7th–9th grade students in Bangkok; Thailand. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, using a self-report questionnaire consisting of: demographic data, cyberbullying, risky online behavior and the Social Media Addiction Screening Scale (S-MASS), involving 3,667 students. Results: Cyberbullying involvement was significantly associated with almost all risky online behaviors. The three riskiest behaviors, according to the odds ratios, were disclosing personal information (odds ratio (OR)=3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.7, 5.1]), making appointments to meet with online strangers (OR=3.0, 95% CI [2.1, 4.2]), and having conversations with online strangers (OR=2.6, 95% CI [2.3, 3.0]). Additionally, cyberbullying involvement exhibited a strong association with the high-risk category of social media addiction (OR=4.4, 95% CI [3.3, 5.8]). Furthermore, all subgroups of cyberbullying, including cyber-victims, cyberbullies, bystanders and the combined subgroups, demonstrated associations with almost all risky online behaviors. Moreover, the high risk category of social media addiction, with the combined subgroup, exhibited the highest odds ratio. Conclusion: Cyberbullying involvement was found to be associated with risky online behavior and social media addiction among middle school students in Bangkok.