Sexual cyberbullying: Review, critique, & future directions

Sexual cyberbullying is a relatively novel issue wherein various forms of technology including cell phone messaging, social media, and other online tools are used to harass another individual in a sexually explicit fashion, or to coerce an individual into providing private sexual information or engage in activities which are sexual in nature. The present article explores the relevant research to date on sexual cyberbullying. A methodological critique of this literature is discussed and suggestions for future research are provided. In particular, the importance of establishing a theoretical framework which can be used to better conceptualize and understand sexual cyberbullying and other forms of technologically mediated aggression is highlighted. Contextual factors which may also influence sexual cyberbullying, such as alcohol, hookup culture, and the recent discussion of revenge porn in the media, are also discussed. •Sexual cyberbullying is an issue which has only received limited scholarly study•Even with this limited study it appears that sexual cyberbullying is a growing issue, particularly among college students•Sexual cyberbullying appears to have serious negative psychological and social impact for both victims and perpetrators•Suggestions for improving current research will be provided