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The violation of learners in schools has gained substantial media attention across South Africa in the 20th century. The attitudes of learners have changed and the value attached to education diminished. There are increasing concerns within South Africa that schools are the sites of widespread violence. The aim of this paper was to explore the effects of bullying in schools on the psychological functioning of victims. The study was conducted in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A qualitative approach and an exploratory research design were used in conducting this study. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select 40 participants for the study, made up of 25 learners, 5 social workers, 5 educators, and 5 community members from schools mostly affected by school-based bullying. The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the participants and thereafter the data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that bullying within the school environment negatively affects the psychological functioning and academic progress of learners. Exposure to bullying impairs learners’ emotions and cognition and it ultimately leads to increased levels of anxiety and depression. Hence, it was revealed that low self-esteem, thoughts of self-destruction and severe behavioural conditions are long-term effects that victims face. One conclusion drawn from this study is that victims of bullying often opt to stay absent from school because of fear. One pertinent recommendation made was to establish support groups for victims that will equip them with skills of empowerment.

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The use of social media in the rural areas of South Africa is growing, with the youth being the prominent users. The growth of social media has incited a growing knowledge about impending forthcoming social events. However, there are concerns about mental illness, such as depression, owing to the increase in social comparison. There is a lack of literature on the use of social media in rural areas. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the effects of social media on the psychosocial well-being of the youth in selected rural areas of the Eastern Cape. The study was conducted in the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach, 30 youths from the Amathole District Municipality were purposively sampled. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using a thematic analysis. The findings revealed that using social media has a negative bearing on the psychosocial well-being of the youth owing to the discrepancies between appearance, reality and expectations. Some youths use social media as a means of recreation whereas some use social media as a networking method. The study concluded that the extensive use of social media among the youth can lead to comparison and ultimately depression and, therefore, recommended awareness campaigns on the good use of social media so the youth benefit rather than become victims.

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