Cyberbullying: Identification of Factors Affecting the Quality of Higher Education in Indonesia

Abstract

The use of cell phones has undergone a rapid change and will continue to change. Previously used for voice communication in the 1980s, now mobile phones have various functions so that they are known as smartphones. The various functions of this smartphone are not only used for a positive purpose, but also create new problems, such as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a type of social abuse by utilizing electronic gadgets such as smartphones. The growing population of smartphone owners among students raises new problems in the classroom. Misuse of smartphone use, especially in the perspective of cyberbullying, can result in disruption of the quality of learning in the classroom and the academic atmosphere on campus. Compared to traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen anywhere and anytime. Text, photo or video information used in cyberbullies can be delivered directly to the target person. This research aims to study the factors why students conduct cyberbullying and the effects of cyberbullying. The result of analysis shows enough evidence that there is a misuse in the use of smartphones when in the classroom. Various factors have been identified such as high frequency of smartphone usage which is not related to lessons in class, chatting in social media and bullying for fun or joke. The negative effect of cyberbullying is mostly feel humiliated followed by worried and isolated. The results of this research help higher education institutions to anticipate the impact of smartphone use among students earlier and take appropriate steps or policies to maintain the learning process and quality learning atmosphere.

Determination of Secondary School Students' Levels of Sensitivity towards Cyberbullying and Cyberbullying Behaviour

“…Cyberbullying behaviour, which is a big problem among the society which can easily affect the young generation in many respects, may cause serious problems among users who have applications used with information technologies such as frustration, sadness, anger (Kestel & Akbıyık, 2016;Rao et al, 2017;Yaman & Peker, 2012), fear and tension (Alotaibi, 2019), emotional, behavioural and academic problems (Aizenkot & Kashy-Rosenbaum, 2019), having negative relationships with family and friends (Kestel & Akbıyık, 2016), not being able to communicate socially (Ciftci, 2018), feeling of revenge (Yaman & Peker, 2012) and feeling humiliated, isolated and anxious (Simangunsong, 2020), low self-esteem, emotional and psychological problems, academic difficulties, clinical depression and even suicide . Thereupon, high sensitivity of users towards cyberbullying behaviour is very important in order not to be affected by it.…”

“…People who carry out cyberbullying behaviour in the society are defined as "cyber bully", whilst those who are exposed to the behaviour are defined as "cyber victims" (Kavuk Kalender et al, 2019). Cases such as frustration, sadness, anger (Kestel & Akbıyık, 2016;Rao et al, 2017;Yaman & Peker, 2012), fear and tension (Alotaibi, 2019), insecurity, anxiety and high depression (Ronis & Slaunwhite, 2019), psychological and social effects (Yiğit, Keskin, & Yurdugül, 2018), emotional, behavioural and academic problems (Aizenkot & Kashy-Rosenbaum, 2019), low self-esteem, emotional and psychological problems, academic difficulties, clinical depression , having negative relationships with family and friends (Kestel & Akbıyık, 2016), not being able to communicate socially (Ciftci, 2018), feeling of revenge (Yaman & Peker, 2012) and feeling humiliated, isolated and anxious (Simangunsong, 2020) are among the effects of cyberbullying victimization. Similarly, it was emphasized in the studies conducted to examine cyberbullying behaviour that cyberbullying can have a negative impact on academic success (Alotaibi, 2019;Tanrikulu, 2018).…”

“…Especially the unlimited access of young people to ICT means that bullying can occur at anytime and anywhere (Cross et al, 2016). Regarding this issue, while Smith et al (2008) emphasized that especially via mobile phones and the Internet, the use of such technologies can also increase the risk of cyberbullying, Simangunsong (2020) accentuated that various functions of smart phones can create new problems e.g. cyberbullying.…”