The emergence themes of cyberbullying among adolescences

Abstract

This paper focuses on the emergence factors and themes that surfaced as result of cyberbullying activities among adolescents in Malaysia that have never been reported before this one. The actual research attempted to fill the knowledge gap in cyberbullying phenomenon by focusing on factors that contribute to its activities among adolescents in Malaysia. In addition, the research seeks to understand the antecedents and the contexts and prevailing conditions that influence it, as well as the phenomenon, the coping strategies and the consequences resulting from the coping strategies. Using a grounded theory methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted on adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years from different schools in the state of Perlis. The data were analysed using NVivo 10 by methodically coding and categorising the data in open, axial and selective coding to arrive at a model development. A paradigm model will be obtained based on informants' individual comments and experiences that uniquely contribute to the body of knowledge on cyberbullying phenomenon in Malaysia. The involved elements derived from the model are; the antecedents of cyberbullying; the phenomenon; the coping strategies by informants and the consequences resulting from these strategies. The significance of this study lies in its attempt to provide a working framework for reducing adolescents' technology abuse that will eventually lead to cyberbullying and to find solutions for adolescents to tackle cyberbullying problems if it ever happened. This study is hoped to benefit all the parties: adolescents, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to minimise adolescents' cyberbullying phenomenon. At a time when most adolescents are exposed to cyber bullying around the world, this research is both timely and necessary.

Relationship between Demographic Factors and Undergraduates’ Cyberbullying Experiences in Public Universities in Malaysia

“…Cyberbullying affects the society at large, regardless of social status or class; and it can cause irreparable psychological damage to people, ranging from low self-esteem, depression, feelings of inadequacies, poor self-concept as well as suicide ideation. The broad term of bullying is seen as a global and widespread phenomenon occurring in different social contexts of schoolyard, workplace, and more recently, technology (cyber) (Fanti, Demetriou and Hawa, 2012;Abu-bakar, 2015).…”

Frequent Social Media Use as Predictor of Cyberbullying Among University Undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria

“…A researcher's study revealed that forms of cybercrime among university undergraduates in Ilorin metropolis included: watching pornographic videos/tapes, cyber plagiarism, cyber tricks and credit cards/ATM frauds. According to the researcher, there was prevalence of social media engagement, but interpersonal bullying in the cyberspace among undergraduates was not very pronounced or prevalent [6].…”

Cyberbullying Through Intellect - Related Insults

“…However, cyberbullying is not a novel subject in Malaysia due to the cases being reported over the years. Specifically, a total of 34 suicide cases are reported in less than ten years involving teenagers (below 18 years) and have been linked to cyberbullying (Abu Bakar, 2015). Moreover, 37% of Malaysian youth claim to have encountered and experienced cyberbullying (Telenorgroup, 2016).…”

“…Due to the virtual nature of cyber activities, cyberbullying victims may not perceive the bullying activity as serious, whereas others may feel hopelessness given that they have nowhere to hide or run. In the case of Malaysians, cyberbullying is considered a 'silent epidemic' (Abu Bakar, 2015), given that it is one of the most detrimental effects of Internet jeopardies that social media users normally suffer.…”