Fake profiles and time spent online during the COVID 19 pandemic: a real risk for cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is characterized by asymmetry of power, reiteration of conduct, and desire to victimize. During the COVID-19 pandemic, young people were overexposed to social media and to instances of cyberbullying. The aim of this study was to determine whether the anonymity afforded by fake profiles and the longer hours spent online led to an increase in cyberbullying. The survey involved a sample of 4338 students (52.4% girls; age range, 11–19 years, M 14.1 SD 1.6) attending lower and upper secondary schools. Multiple regression analysis with mediation revealed an association between having a fake profile and cyberbullying in the context of longer non-school time spent online. Our findings suggest that having a fake profile can become a risk for cyberbullying. Our study also underscores the relevance of digital technologies for blocking fake profiles. Such measures could benefit both cybervictims and cyberattackers alike, who often act out of ignorance without realizing the possible consequences of their actions.