The rise of digital communication has transformed adolescent interaction but also increased the prevalence of cyberbullying, which occurs 24/7 and can reach a vast audience anonymously, worsening its emotional and psychological effects. Research shows it leads to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts (Kim et al., 2018; Extremera et al., 2018). Current digital interventions often focus separately on prevention or mental health, missing an integrated approach that addresses both (Merrill & Hanson, 2016). Effective interventions should teach coping skills, empathy, and digital citizenship, but many programs lack this comprehensive strategy (Doumas & Midgett, 2020). Involving families and communities is also key for greater impact (Rodríguez-Rivas et al., 2022). CyberAware 1.0 responds to this gap by offering a platform that provides real-time expert support, personalized resources, and strong security (Schodt et al., 2021). Its goal is to raise awareness and promote mental well-being while protecting privacy. Initial feedback and evaluations will help assess its effectiveness in addressing cyberbullying's impact (Rey et al., 2020). This paper outlines the platform's development and its potential to fill gaps in current interventions and secure web technologies to help adolescents navigate digital life safely. JEL Codes: I31, L86, D91 Keywords: Cyberbullying, Mental Health, Web Development, Adolescents, Digital Interventions
Yee et al. (Wed,) studied this question.