The relationship between cyber victimization, social media addiction, social media literacy, and platform usage in adolescents

Doğan E., Şen İ. E. Y., ŞAHİN Y. L.

Current Psychology, vol.44, no.15, pp.13859-13871, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 44 Issue: 15
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s12144-025-08098-y
  • Journal Name: Current Psychology
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.13859-13871
  • Keywords: Cyber victimization, Exhaustive CHAID, Social media addiction, Social media literacy, Social media platforms
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between cyber victimization in adolescents and factors such as social media addiction, social media literacy, and the social media platforms used. Employing a correlational research design, the study developed the SMLS and SMAS, and analyzed data from 1836 adolescents using exhaustive CHAID. The findings indicate that the most significant variable associated with cyber victimization is social media addiction. Among users with low social media addiction, high technical skills and low cognitive skills are linked to increased cyber victimization. Additionally, adolescents with high social media addiction who use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp are at greater risk of experiencing cyber victimization. The study is the first to holistically examine the relationship between cyber victimization and variables such as social media addiction, social media literacy, and the social media platforms used. By identifying variables that can predict cyber victimization among adolescents, it provides results that can inform preventive measures and risk reduction strategies.