A Psychological Perspective on the Complex Interplay Between Loneliness and Cyberbullying

Abstract

The development of the Internet has changed people’s functioning—particularly the functioning of young people, for whom the virtual space has become an alternative reality. Its emergence brought new problems, such as new forms of loneliness, experienced both in the so-called real world and online. This chapter discusses cyberbullying issues in the context of loneliness. It shows the issue from both the perpetrator’s and the victim’s perspectives. Based on the presented empirical research, there have been also recommendations regarding the prevention of cyberbullying formulated. Additionally, there is a review of the measures for assessing loneliness and cyberbullying presented.