A Cyberbullying Media-Based Prevention Intervention for Adolescents on Instagram: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Emily R Kutok, Shira Dunsiger, John V Patena, Nicole R Nugent, Alison Riese, Rochelle K Rosen, Megan L Ranney, Emily R Kutok, Shira Dunsiger, John V Patena, Nicole R Nugent, Alison Riese, Rochelle K Rosen, Megan L Ranney

Abstract

Background: Between 15% and 70% of adolescents report experiencing cybervictimization. Cybervictimization is associated with multiple negative consequences, including depressed mood. Few validated, easily disseminated interventions exist to prevent cybervictimization and its consequences. With over 97% of adolescents using social media (such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat), recruiting and delivering a prevention intervention through social media and apps may improve accessibility of prevention tools for at-risk youth.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of and obtain preliminary outcome data on IMPACT (Intervention Media to Prevent Adolescent Cyber-Conflict Through Technology), a brief, remote app-based intervention to prevent and reduce the effect of cyberbullying.

Methods: From January 30, 2020, to May 3, 2020, a national sample of 80 adolescents with a history of past-year cybervictimization was recruited through Instagram for a randomized control trial of IMPACT, a brief, remote research assistant-led intervention and a fully automated app-based program, versus enhanced web-based resources (control). Feasibility and acceptability were measured by consent, daily use, and validated surveys. Although not powered for efficacy, outcomes (victimization, bystander self-efficacy, and well-being) were measured using validated measures at 8 and 16 weeks and evaluated using a series of longitudinal mixed models.

Results: Regarding feasibility, 24.5% (121/494) of eligible participants provided contact information; of these, 69.4% (84/121) completed full enrollment procedures. Of the participants enrolled, 45% (36/80) were randomized into the IMPACT intervention and 55% (44/80) into the enhanced web-based resources groups. All participants randomized to the intervention condition completed the remote intervention session, and 89% (77/80) of the daily prompts were answered. The retention rate was 99% (79/80) at 8 weeks and 96% (77/80) at 16 weeks for all participants. Regarding acceptability, 100% (36/36) of the intervention participants were at least moderately satisfied with IMPACT overall, and 92% (33/36) of the participants were at least moderately satisfied with the app. At both 8 and 16 weeks, well-being was significantly higher (β=1.17, SE 0.87, P=.02 at 8 weeks and β=3.24, SE 0.95, P<.001 at 16 weeks) and psychological stress was lower (β=-.66, SE 0.08, P=.04 at 8 weeks and β=-.89, SE 0.09, P<.001 at 16 weeks) among IMPACT users than among control group users. Participants in the intervention group attempted significantly more bystander interventions than those in the control group at 8 weeks (β=.82, SE 0.42; P=.02).

Conclusions: This remote app-based intervention for victims of cyberbullying was feasible and acceptable, increased overall well-being and bystander interventions, and decreased psychological stress. Our findings are especially noteworthy given that the trial took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of Instagram to recruit adolescents can be a successful strategy for identifying and intervening with those at the highest risk of cybervictimization.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04259216; https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT04259216.

Keywords: adolescents; brief interventions; cyberbullying; messaging; mobile application; mobile phone; recruitment; social media.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts directly related to this paper, but MLR notes National Institute of Health and Center for Disease Control funding; fees from Medscape to provide talks about COVID; Board of Directors (volunteer) for GetUsPPE, a 501c3; and Chief Research Officer (volunteer) for American Foundation for Firearm Injury Reduction in Medicine Research, a 501c3.

©Emily R Kutok, Shira Dunsiger, John V Patena, Nicole R Nugent, Alison Riese, Rochelle K Rosen, Megan L Ranney. Originally published in JMIR Mental Health (https://mental.jmir.org), 15.09.2021.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screenshot of the IMPACT (Intervention Media to Prevent Adolescent Cyber-Conflict Through Technology) “app”.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participant recruitment flow through the IMPACT (Intervention Media to Prevent Adolescent Cyber-Conflict Through Technology) pilot trial.

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