Mental Health Problems and Internet Usage Characteristics Among Adolescents Who Have Experienced Cybervictimization / Problemas de salud mental y características del uso de Internet entre adolescentes víctima de ciberacoso

The internet provides various opportunities but also presents risks, such as cybervictimization. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine internet usage characteristics and mental health problems among adolescents who had experienced cybervictimization. Based on the Cyber Victimization Scale (CVS), the sample included 42 cybervictims and 42 non-victim controls. All participants were administered the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders Scale (SCARED), Child Depression Inventory (CDI), Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6–18 (CBCL/6–18), and KSADS-PL-DSM-5. Cybervictims had significantly higher IAS, SCARED, and CDI scores, as well as higher CBCL internalizing, externalizing, and total problem scores. Additionally, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was significantly higher in the cybervictim group. The study showed that good peer relationships and a later age at the onset of internet use were associated with a reduced risk of cybervictimization, while daily internet use of three hours or more was associated with an increased risk of cybervictimization. Consequently, this study contributes to understanding the internet usage characteristics and mental health problems of cybervictims and emphasizes the importance of developing prevention and intervention programs for cybervictimization.