A Self-Perpetuating Loop: Bivariate Dynamic Bidirectional Relationships Linking Cyberbullying Perpetration, Cybervictimization, and Social Networking Use Intensity

While online social interactions have enhanced connectivity and simplified communication, they have concurrently introduced associated risks, such as cyberbullying, which has garnered significant attention as a pressing public health issue. The relationship between cyberbullying perpetration and cybervictimization has yielded inconsistent results, and there is a lack of research exploring this relationship from the perspective of micro-dynamic interactions. This study examined the dynamic feedback loops among cyberbullying perpetration, cybervictimization, and social networking use intensity (SNUI) using a diary study. A total of 237 college students (<i>M</i>_age = 19.90 years, <i>SD</i> = 2.15) completed a 14-day consecutive measurement of cyberbullying perpetration, cybervictimization, and SNUI. Dynamic structural equation models showed positive cross-lagged and feedback effects between cyberbullying perpetration and cybervictimization, suggesting a self-perpetuating loop. The cross-lagged effects of daily cyberbullying perpetration on SNUI was significant. However, the cross-lagged effects of SNUI on cyberbullying perpetration, of cybervictimization on SNUI, and of SNUI on cybervictimization were insignificant. These findings suggest a spiral of positive association between cyberbullying perpetration and cybervictimization. Furthermore, engagement in cyberbullying perpetration fosters increased utilization of social networking platforms on the subsequent day. This study provides new insights into mitigating cyberbullying by disrupting its self-perpetuating cycle and highlights the need to focus on how social media are used, rather than the intensity of their use.