Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Comparing Stage and Domain Theories of Moral Development in Explaining Cyberbullying

Zihan FengNational University of Singapore*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Cyberbullying is becoming a growing concern among teenagers. The negative impact of cyberbullying on teenagers includes deteriorating mental health, broken friendships, and decreased academic success. As more social interaction occurs online, it becomes significant to understand how young people make moral judgments in digital environments. Most studies so far focus on behavioral and emotional factors of cyberbullying. Only a few studies examine how moral development theories explain these behaviors. This review fills this gap by comparing major moral development theories, including Piaget’s stages, Kohlberg’s six-stage model, and social domain theory. It also examines how each framework explains cyberbullying. Stage theories describe the development of moral reasoning over time. In contrast, social domain theory offers a more detailed understanding of how adolescents navigate moral dilemmas online. Both theories together help explain how complex moral behavior can be in online spaces. Future research should combine the strengths of both theories and include cross-cultural perspectives.

Keywords: cyberbullying; Kohlberg; moral development; Piaget; social domain theory.
Published: November 5, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT28866
Volume: CHR Vol.95
pp. 60-65
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