Cyberbullying and Internet Addiction in Gifted and Nongifted Teenagers

The present article analyzed whether there are differences between gifted and nongifted teenagers in relation to cyberbullying (either as aggressor or victim) and to Internet addiction (in both the intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions). Furthermore, the existing relationships between cyberbullying and Internet addiction were explored in a sample of gifted teenagers and their nongifted classmates. Participants were 122 adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age ( M = 14.40), in compulsory secondary education, half of whom were considered gifted students. The data obtained through a matched case-control study design revealed no significant differences between gifted students and the rest of the students in terms of the incidence of cyberbullying and Internet addiction. Nevertheless, results from generalized linear models revealed the important role that interpersonal conflicts deriving from Internet addiction play in explaining situations of cyberbullying.