The impact of cyberbullying: Perspectives from tertiary youth

Background: Many young adults go through bullying and are unable to speak out because of fear of humiliation and retaliation from the bully. Technological advancements have made cyberbullying one of the most dangerous forms of bullying around the globe, raising concerns on how to prevent it or help the victims. This study aims to uncover the causes, experiences and students’ perceptions on cyberbullying and devise a strategy to mitigate cyberbullying. Objectives: The researchers aimed to investigate tertiary students’ perspectives, experiences and causes of cyberbullying to develop a framework to conceptualise the tertiary youth cyberbullying phenomenon. The findings will enable researchers to recommend suitable strategies to help mitigate cyberbullying among students and enable cyber-awareness on how to avoid cyberbullying. Method: A quantitative method was used to conduct this study, using pragmatism as a philosophical stance and experimental design. Data collection included using an online questionnaire that was distributed to South African universities and colleges and 350 responses were collected. Results: The results showed a distinct correlation between social media and bullying activities, indicating that the more students engage in social media activities, the more likely they are to fall victim to cyberbullying. This has raised concerns about the policies and safety precautions implemented in tertiary institutions and information and communication technology giants, especially regarding social media. Conclusion: This study advocates forming an alliance with the technology giants to help create a sustainable and resilient cyberspace to ensure the safety of the students when working on digital platforms. Contribution: This study highlights the need for a tertiary environment that supports cyberbullying victims and empowers bystanders to intervene through policy reforms in the evolving technological landscape.