The difference in participants’ characteristics between samples and the inconsistency in the methodology have led to variability in both direction and magnitude of association between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the relationship between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents. Primary studies on cyber-victimization and depression among adolescents (10–19 years of age based on WHO definition) on PubMed and EMBASE databases were included. The forward and backward snowballing searching method was also used to explore more publications. The main effect estimate extracted from eligible studies was the odds ratio which was synthesized based on the random-effect model. The protocol of this study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42020185700). Among 1,008 research articles identified, 17 were eligible which comprised a total sample of 79,202 adolescents. The odds of depression among cyber-victims was almost three-fold higher (OR = 2.73; 95% CI 2.25–3.31) compared to non–cyber-victims. The overall effect estimate remained positive irrespective of differences in sample and method characteristics (study location, female percentage, sampling procedures, the use of single vs. multiple items, and elaboration of cyber-bullying definition). The presence of traditional bullying items was found to be important moderator of this relationship. However, none of the anticipated moderators had a clear impact on this relationship. Moreover, absence of publication bias was confirmed. This study confirms findings from the literature about the significant association between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents across settings and populations. More efforts should be made to address this issue rigorously and to a greater extent.

样本之间参与者特征的差异以及方法的不一致导致网络受害与青少年抑郁之间关联的方向和程度存在差异。这项系统回顾和荟萃分析调查了青少年网络受害与抑郁之间的关系。纳入了 PubMed 和 EMBASE 数据库中关于青少年（根据 WHO 定义，10-19 岁）网络受害和抑郁症的初步研究。还采用了向前和向后滚雪球的搜索方法来探索更多的出版物。从合格研究中提取的主效应估计是基于随机效应模型综合的优​​势比。本研究方案前瞻性地在PROSPERO数据库中注册（注册号：CRD42020185700）。在确定的 1,008 篇研究文章中，有 17 篇符合条件，样本总数为 79,202 名青少年。与非网络受害者相比，网络受害者患抑郁症的几率几乎高出三倍（OR = 2.73；95% CI 2.25–3.31）。无论样本和方法特征（研究地点、女性比例、抽样程序、单个项目与多个项目的使用以及网络欺凌定义的详细说明）存在差异，总体效果估计仍然是积极的。人们发现传统欺凌项目的存在是这种关系的重要调节因素。然而，没有一个预期的调节者对这种关系产生明显的影响。此外，证实不存在发表偏倚。这项研究证实了文献中的发现，即不同环境和人群的青少年网络受害与抑郁之间存在显着关联。必须加大力度、更加严格、更大程度地解决这一问题。