IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/inm/orisre/v34y2023i3p828-846.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Bystanders Join in Cyberbullying on Social Networking Sites: The Deindividuation and Moral Disengagement Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Tommy K. H. Chan

    (Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester M15 6PB, United Kingdom)

  • Christy M. K. Cheung

    (School of Business, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong)

  • Izak Benbasat

    (Sauder School of Business, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2, Canada)

  • Bo Xiao

    (Shidler College of Business, The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822)

  • Zach W. Y. Lee

    (Durham University Business School, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LB, United Kingdom)

Abstract

Cyberbullying on social networking sites (SNSs) escalates when bystanders join in the bullying. Although researchers have recognized the harmful consequences of joining in cyberbullying behaviors, little is known about the role of information technology (IT) and its underlying mechanisms in fueling such negative group behavior on SNSs. To address this research gap, we develop and test an integrative model that explains bystanders’ joining-in cyberbullying behaviors on SNSs . Based on the theoretical premises of the social identity model of deindividuation effects (the SIDE model), we derive two deindividuation experiences enabled by SNSs, namely experienced anonymity and experienced social identity . We further use the social network research framework to gain insights into how IT features (i.e., digital profile, search and privacy, relational ties, and network transparency) enable these two deindividuation experiences. Considering the socially undesirable nature of joining-in behaviors, we integrate the SIDE model with moral disengagement theory to explain how deindividuation experiences allow bystanders to bypass their psychological discomfort when engaging in such behaviors through the practice of moral disengagement mechanisms. Our research model is tested using a scenario survey, with two samples recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and Facebook. Our results support the influences of IT-enabled deindividuation experiences on bystanders joining in cyberbullying and demonstrate the mediating effects of moral disengagement mechanisms in bridging the effects of deindividuation experiences on joining-in behaviors. For researchers, the integrative view offers a conceptual bridge connecting IT features, deindividuation, moral disengagement, and negative online group behaviors on SNSs. For practitioners, our findings provide platform owners and governmental agencies with directions on how to mitigate cyberbullying on SNSs and other forms of deviant and undesirable online group behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Tommy K. H. Chan & Christy M. K. Cheung & Izak Benbasat & Bo Xiao & Zach W. Y. Lee, 2023. "Bystanders Join in Cyberbullying on Social Networking Sites: The Deindividuation and Moral Disengagement Perspectives," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 34(3), pages 828-846, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:34:y:2023:i:3:p:828-846
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.2022.1161
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/isre.2022.1161
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1287/isre.2022.1161?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Randy Yee Man Wong & Christy M. K. Cheung & Bo Xiao & Jason Bennett Thatcher, 2021. "Standing Up or Standing By: Understanding Bystanders’ Proactive Reporting Responses to Social Media Harassment," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 32(2), pages 561-581, June.
    2. Vivian Hsueh Hua Chen & Yuehua Wu, 2015. "Group identification as a mediator of the effect of players’ anonymity on cheating in online games," Behaviour and Information Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(7), pages 658-667, July.
    3. Paul Benjamin Lowry & Jun Zhang & Chuang Wang & Mikko Siponen, 2016. "Why Do Adults Engage in Cyberbullying on Social Media? An Integration of Online Disinhibition and Deindividuation Effects with the Social Structure and Social Learning Model," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 27(4), pages 962-986, December.
    4. Greta L Polites & Nicholas Roberts & Jason Thatcher, 2012. "Conceptualizing models using multidimensional constructs: a review and guidelines for their use," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 22-48, January.
    5. Longobardi, C. & Settanni, M. & Fabris, M.A. & Marengo, D., 2020. "Follow or be followed: Exploring the links between Instagram popularity, social media addiction, cyber victimization, and subjective happiness in Italian adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    6. Marwa El Zein & Bahador Bahrami & Ralph Hertwig, 2019. "Shared responsibility in collective decisions," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 3(6), pages 554-559, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jimena Zapata & Justin Sulik & Clemens Wulffen & Ophelia Deroy, 2024. "Bystanders’ collective responses set the norm against hate speech," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Ugochukwu Etudo & Victoria Y. Yoon, 2024. "Ontology-Based Information Extraction for Labeling Radical Online Content Using Distant Supervision," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 35(1), pages 203-225, March.
    3. Wang, Lin & Ngai, Steven Sek-yum, 2020. "The effects of anonymity, invisibility, asynchrony, and moral disengagement on cyberbullying perpetration among school-aged children in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Melina A. Throuvala & Mark D. Griffiths & Mike Rennoldson & Daria J. Kuss, 2019. "A ‘Control Model’ of Social Media Engagement in Adolescence: A Grounded Theory Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Michelle Hui Lim Lee & Manveen Kaur & Vinorra Shaker & Anne Yee & Rohana Sham & Ching Sin Siau, 2023. "Cyberbullying, Social Media Addiction and Associations with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Medical Students in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    6. Dena Yadin & Inbal Yahav & Lior Zalmanson & Nira Munichor, 2024. "Resolving the Ethical Tension Between Creating a Civil Environment and Facilitating Free Expression Online: Comment Reordering as an Alternative to Comment Moderation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 192(2), pages 261-283, June.
    7. Jūratė Kuklytė, 2018. "Cybersexual Harassment as ICTs Development Consequences: A Review," European Journal of Business Science and Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics, vol. 4(2), pages 187-195.
    8. Nanath, Krishnadas & Balasubramanian, Sreejith & Shukla, Vinaya & Islam, Nazrul & Kaitheri, Supriya, 2022. "Developing a mental health index using a machine learning approach: Assessing the impact of mobility and lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    9. Andrea Bonassi & Ilaria Cataldo & Giulio Gabrieli & Moses Tandiono & Jia Nee Foo & Bruno Lepri & Gianluca Esposito, 2022. "The Interaction between Serotonin Transporter Allelic Variation and Maternal Care Modulates Instagram Sociability in a Sample of Singaporean Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    10. Christian Maier & Sven Laumer & Jason Bennett Thatcher & Jakob Wirth & Tim Weitzel, 2022. "Trial-Period Technostress: A Conceptual Definition and Mixed-Methods Investigation," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 33(2), pages 489-514, June.
    11. Matteo Angelo Fabris & Claudio Longobardi & Rosalba Morese & Davide Marengo, 2022. "Exploring Multivariate Profiles of Psychological Distress and Empathy in Early Adolescent Victims, Bullies, and Bystanders Involved in Cyberbullying Episodes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-14, August.
    12. Ángel Denche-Zamorano & Sabina Barrios-Fernandez & Carmen Galán-Arroyo & Sebastián Sánchez-González & Felipe Montalva-Valenzuela & Antonio Castillo-Paredes & Jorge Rojo-Ramos & Pedro R. Olivares, 2022. "Science Mapping: A Bibliometric Analysis on Cyberbullying and the Psychological Dimensions of the Self," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    13. Tony de Vassoigne & Przemek Sobocinski, 2023. "Gambler's motivations and regret: the case of online sports betting among 18-30-yearolds [Les motivations du parieur et le regret : le cas des paris sportifs en ligne chez les 18 - 30 ans]," Post-Print hal-04190274, HAL.
    14. Shuaa A. Aljasir & Maisoon O. Alsebaei, 2022. "Cyberbullying and cybervictimization on digital media platforms: the role of demographic variables and parental mediation strategies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    15. Keonhyeong Lee & Liyuan Wang, 2023. "Chinese High-Tech Export Performance: Effects of Intellectual Capital Mediated by Dynamic and Risk Management Capabilities," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, February.
    16. Ramírez-Orellana, Alicia & Martínez-Victoria, MCarmen & García-Amate, Antonio & Rojo-Ramírez, Alfonso A., 2023. "Is the corporate financial strategy in the oil and gas sector affected by ESG dimensions?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    17. Ji Wu & Zhiqiang (Eric) Zheng & J. Leon Zhao, 2021. "FairPlay: Detecting and Deterring Online Customer Misbehavior," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 32(4), pages 1323-1346, December.
    18. Su, Cong & Holm, Ulf & Martín Martín, Oscar, 2024. "Liability of political embeddedness in Chinese multinationals: Implications for headquarters’ roles and reverse knowledge transfer," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3).
    19. Maaser, Nicola & Stratmann, Thomas, 2024. "Costly voting in weighted committees: The case of moral costs," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    20. Arnett, Rachel D. & Sidanius, Jim, 2018. "Sacrificing status for social harmony: Concealing relatively high status identities from one’s peers," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 108-126.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:34:y:2023:i:3:p:828-846. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Asher (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/inforea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.