The relationship between moral disengagement and empathy to cyberbullying among children with behavioral disorders

This study focuses on the widespread phenomenon of cyberbullying and its association to the social-emotional traits of empathy and moral disengagement. Studies primarily focus on typically developing (TD) children aged 12 and above, with research on children with special needs, particularly behavioral disorder (BD), lacking. The current study aims to explore cyberbullying among children aged 9-12 with BD and examines the association between this phenomenon and moral disengagement and empathy compared to typically developing (TD) children. The study includes 87 children aged 9-12 (M = 10.29, SD = 0.99): 37 who were diagnosed with BD, and 50 TD. The research used a Mixed Methods approach, which included questionnaires on internet use, cyberbullying, moral disengagement, and empathy, as well as semi-structured interviews. Findings indicated that as the level of moral disengagement increases, the level of empathy decreases, and involvement in cyberbullying as perpetrators is higher. Also, children with BD are more involved in cyberbullying as perpetrators, victims, and bystanders, and exhibit higher levels of moral disengagement while their level of empathy is lower, compared to TD children. Among children with BD, the degree of moral disengagement was positively correlated with involvement in cyberbullying (victims, bystanders). A correlation between the three aspects of cyberbullying was found only among children with BD. The findings extend the understanding of this phenomenon in young children and its correlation to emotional aspects among children with BD, potentially leading to preventive intervention programs and tools for children, parents, and educators.