Behind the Screens: A Systematic Literature Review on Barriers and Mitigating Strategies for Combating Cyberbullying

With the increased availability of the internet, technology, and social media, the incidence of cyberbullying has escalated globally. Cyberbullying is becoming a significant factor that affects people’s lives, leading them to experience anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviour, and more. Therefore, it is worth exploring the various forms of cyberbullying, the barriers to its prevention, and preventive strategies. Previous research has primarily concentrated on challenges, factors, and impacts for adolescents; however, the rise in cyberbullying among adults is not explored enough. Therefore, this study intended to perform a systematic literature review focused on adults to identify the forms (types) and barriers that create challenges to applying cyberbullying prevention strategies effectively. This study followed the PRISMA model guidelines and used the Scopus online database for the literature selection process. In this effort, this research reviewed 32 studies selected from 9814 articles examined for this purpose, all published between January 2019 and January 2025. The findings identified eight themes on cyberbullying forms, six barriers to its prevention, and seven preventive measures related to cyberbullying. The outcomes of this research will deepen the understanding of various issues for adults engaged in education and work-related fields, offering valuable insights to parents, guardians, researchers, policymakers, educators, social media companies, and governments.