The Current Situation of Cyberbullying and Social Work Preventing Against Cyberbullying among Undergraduate Students Internationally and in Vietnam: Literature Review

Cyberbullying has emerged as a pervasive and complex phenomenon affecting undergraduate students worldwide. Characterized by repeated, intentional harm inflicted through digital platforms, cyberbullying poses significant risks to students’ psychological, emotional, and academic well-being. This literature review synthesizes current international and Vietnamese research to examine the prevalence, forms, consequences, and driving factors of cyberbullying among undergraduate students. The review highlights key patterns, including increased victimization on social media, gender-based vulnerabilities, and links to anxiety, depression, and academic disengagement. Special attention is given to the role of social work in cyberbullying prevention and intervention, focusing on casework, group work, and community-based approaches. International models of school and university-based social work responses are compared with Vietnam’s emerging practices in higher education settings. The review underscores the need for culturally sensitive, evidence-based social work strategies tailored to the unique digital and psychosocial contexts of university students. It concludes with recommendations for developing preventive education, digital literacy programs, and multi-sectoral partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of social work in addressing cyberbullying at both national and international levels.