The Relationship Between Internet Addiction, Cyberbullying and Parental Attitudes

INTRODUCTION: This descriptive study was conducted to determine the relationship between internet addiction, cyberbullying, cyber victimization and parental attitudes towards them.
METHODS: The sample constituted 550 students attending the ninth grade and volunteering to participate in the study. Consents of the ethical committee, institute and parents were obtained for the study. Data were collected using the Student Individual Information Form, Young’s Internet Addiction Test-Short Form, Cyberbullying Scale, Cyber Victimization Scale and Perceived Parental Attitudes Scale.
RESULTS: It is determined that 47.1% of the students had computer or tablet and 99.5% of them had Smartphone; 44.9% of the students used computer once a week, 44.9% used computer and 57.4% used Smartphone for watching video or film and following social media. There was a positive relationship between the Young’s Internet Addiction Test and the Cyberbullying scale while there was a negative relationship between Internet addiction and cyber victimization (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: According to these results, educational programs for adolescents and their parents should be developed related to Internet use in adolescents and the risks of addiction, cyberbullying.