Research Shows Older Adults Are More Resilient to Cyberbullying's Psychological Impact

A recent study conducted by undergraduate researchers at the University of Warwick reveals that older adults exhibit a greater psychological resistance to negative social media comments compared to younger individuals. The research was inspired by observations of negative interactions on platforms like TikTok, where a student noticed that younger users appeared to be more emotionally affected by online negativity.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, involved 128 participants aged between 18 and 73 years. Participants shared blog posts on a fictional online forum, after which they received simulated comments that were either negative, neutral, or positive. Researchers monitored changes in mood and anxiety levels following exposure.

Findings indicated that negative comments generally increased anxiety and caused unpleasant moods across all age groups. However, the extent of psychological distress was notably higher among younger adults. Younger participants experienced more significant anxiety and mood swings when faced with negative comments, whereas older adults showed less emotional disturbance.

Gender differences were also observed, with males of all ages reporting slightly higher anxiety and emotional arousal after receiving negative feedback than females. Additionally, younger adults demonstrated heightened emotional responses regardless of whether comments were negative or positive.

The lead researcher, Yuetong Ai, a second-year undergraduate, created this experimental framework inspired by her own experiences scrolling through social media and feeling affected by negative comments. She noted that while many studies focus on adolescents, there is less understanding of how adults, especially older ones, respond to cyberbullying.

Ai emphasized that her findings suggest the adverse effects of online negativity diminish with age, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about the mental health impact of social media across all age groups. She advocates for strategies to manage and mitigate online harassment to protect mental well-being.

Professor Adrian von Muhlenen, a supervisor of the project, praised the achievement, particularly considering Ai’s undergraduate status, noting that her research benefits from Warwick’s Undergraduate Research Support Scheme. This program enables students to undertake research projects under expert supervision, fostering skills and contributing to meaningful scientific understanding.

Overall, this research expands our comprehension of how cyberbullying affects different age demographics and underscores the need for targeted approaches to online mental health support.