Exploring a social context and life position perspective on late adolescent perpetration of online aggression

Online aggression has been examined extensively among early and middle adolescents and performing this behavior has been linked to developmental changes. The same may hold for late adolescents. One of the changes that is typical for this group is the broadening of the social contexts they engage with, both off- and online. A second one, pertains to their life position, including changes in economic security and mobility. The main aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence and acceptability of online aggression in different social contexts among late adolescents, as well as to explore associations with one’s life position. To these aims, data were collected among a university
sample (N=189). The results indicate that online aggression is most frequently performed by late adolescents in the school, leisure, and celebrity/influencer context. The results also indicate that this age group seems to accept online aggression the most towards public figures, such as politicians and
celebrities/influencers. Finally, the results indicate that different dimensions of one’s life position and frustrations resulting from these are associated with online aggression. Implications, such as the need for (technological) prevention and intervention tools, are discussed.