Moderating effect of motivation for MIM use on the association between MIM bullying opportunities and MIM bullying behaviours

Hongjin Shim, Euikyung Shin and Sohye Lim

Behaviour and Information Technology, 2017, vol. 36, issue 12, 1299-1307

Abstract: This study responds to a call to explain recent outbreaks of cyber-bullying on mobile instant messengers (MIMs). We examined the relationships between MIM bullying opportunities and bullying behaviours in group-chat settings while also investigating the moderating effect of adolescents’ motivations for MIM use. We gathered survey data from a sample of 417 South Korean students aged 13–17 years. The results indicate that adolescents’ perceptions of opportunities for cyber-bullying on MIMs are positively associated with their levels of engagement in bullying behaviours in MIM use. Additionally, we found a significant moderating effect of two motivations for MIM use, entertainment and convenience. We discuss the personal and social implications of our findings that engaging in cyber-bullying is affected by user perceptions and the types of gratification offered by a given medium.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2017.1384509

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