The purpose of this study was to develop a psychometrically sound measure of cyber victimization that could be used to identify cyber victims and outcomes associated with cyber victimization. Research on cyberbullying is still relatively young. Current estimates are that as many as 20% to 40% of children and adolescents report experiencing cyberbullying.

To date, measures of cyberbullying have been limited in focus and have demonstrated relatively poor psychometric properties. Many researchers have relied on measures and data collected for other purposes. Although researchers have created measures to investigate cyberbullying behaviors, these instruments have relatively poor psychometric properties.

Outcomes associated with cyberbullying have been found to be comparable to those associated with traditional bullying. Cyberbullying experiences have been linked to traditional bullying behaviors, school problems, including tardiness and truancy, and substance use. It can also cause psychological, emotional and academic problems.

The results of this study indicate that the Cyber Victimization Survey (CVS) is a reliable and valid tool for identifying cyber victims. In addition, this study demonstrates that levels of cyber victimization do not differ by grade or by gender, cyber victimization and traditional victimization are distinct but related constructs, and relations between cyber victimization and outcomes vary by gender with girls suffering more than boys. This study also confirmed that traditional bullying continues to be significantly related to a number of negative outcomes for all students. These findings as well as implications and the direction of future research are discussed.