The Invisible Catalyst: How Belonging Collapse and Bystander Complicity Mediate Toxic Disinhibition’s Path to Cyberbullying

Abstract

This study investigates how toxic online disinhibition influences cyberbullying through the mediating roles of belonging collapse and bystander complicity. Using a cross-sectional survey of 379 Chinese university students, we tested a sequential mediation model with structural equation modeling. Results indicate that higher levels of toxic disinhibition predict lower perceived belonging and greater passive bystander behavior, both of which are associated with increased cyberbullying perpetration. The findings highlight a psychological pathway from online disinhibition to harmful online behavior and underscore the importance of fostering digital belonging and bystander accountability in cyberbullying prevention. The study contributes to the understanding of complex psychological mechanisms within online aggression and offers implications for platform design and policy.