Cyberbullying and problematic internet use in adolescents with ADHD: exploring the relationship with moral disengagement and social skills

This study explored the relationships between cyberbullying, problematic Internet
use (PIU), moral disengagement, and social skills among children with and without
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) due to the scarcity of research
in this domain. The sample comprised 3,021 children aged 9–18 (M = 13.74;
SD = 3.09), categorized into two groups: 2,247 (74.4%) typically developed (TD)
children and 774 (25.6%) diagnosed with ADHD. Participants completed eight
questionnaires assessing the study’s variables. Results revealed that children with
ADHD displayed higher Internet use, greater PIU, and increased susceptibility to
cyberbullying compared to TD peers, alongside elevated moral disengagement
and lower social skills. Across both groups, heightened moral disengagement
correlated with increased cyberbullying and PIU, while stronger social skills predicted
reduced victimization, perpetration, and lower PIU. Moral disengagement emerged
as a key factor influencing cyberbullying and PIU in both groups. These findings
highlight the heightened risks for children with ADHD and provide insight for
developing tailored interventions to address these challenges.