The Phenomenon of Cyberbullying in the Context of Workplaces

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 422 - 431, 30.06.2025

Ersel Ertürk , Hamza Özçiftçi

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of cyberbullying that has emerged with the integration of technology into workplaces. The aim of the study is to analyze the impacts of cyberbullying perpetrated through digital communication platforms on individuals and organizations, and to propose strategic approaches to address this issue. The psychological, social, and professional consequences experienced by victims and witnesses of cyberbullying have been explored, and the effectiveness of organizational strategies to combat cyberbullying has been evaluated. The findings reveal the detrimental effects of cyberbullying on employee well-being, workplace ethics, and team collaboration. The study emphasizes the necessity of effective legal regulations and strategic interventions to address workplace cyberbullying and contributes to the existing literature in this field.

Keywords

Cyberbullying, Cyber Victimization, Technology, Digitalization

İş Ortamlarında Siber Zorbalık Olgusu

Abstract

Bu çalışma, teknolojinin iş yaşamına entegrasyonu ile ortaya çıkan siber zorbalık olgusunu iş ortamları bağlamında ele almaktadır. Çalışmanın amacı, dijital iletişim platformları aracılığıyla çalışanlara yönelik gerçekleştirilen siber zorbalığın bireyler ve kurumlar üzerindeki etkilerini analiz ederek bu sorunun çözümüne yönelik stratejik yaklaşımlar önermektir. Siber zorbalık mağdurlarının ve tanıklarının yaşadığı psikolojik, sosyal ve mesleki sonuçlar incelenmiş, kurumsal düzeyde siber zorbalıkla mücadele stratejilerinin etkinliği değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, siber zorbalığın çalışan refahı, işyeri etiği ve ekip iş birliği üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, işyerinde siber zorbalıkla başa çıkmak için etkili yasal düzenlemeler ve stratejik müdahalelerin gerekliliğini vurgulamakta ve bu alandaki literatüre katkı sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

Siber Zorbalık, Siber Mağduriyet, Teknoloji, Dijitalleşme

References

• Altundağ, Y. (2016). Lise öğrencilerinde sanal zorbalık ve problemli internet kullanımı ilişkisi. Online Journal of Technology Addiction & Cyberbullying, 3(1), 27–43.
• Aslan, A., & Önay Doğan, B. (2017). Çevrimiçi şiddet: Bir siber zorbalık alanı olarak “Potinss” örneği. Marmara İletişim Dergisi, (27), 95–119.
• Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales. (2020). Arbeitsschutzgesetz (German Labour Protection Act).
• Conn, K. (2010). Cyberbullying and other student technology misuses in K–12 American schools: The legal landmines. Widener Law Review, 16(1), 89–100.
• Cowie, H., & Colliety, P. (2010). Cyberbullying: Sanctions or sensitivity? Pastoral Care in Education, 28(4), 261–268. https://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2010.528017
• Coyne, I., Farley, S., Axtell, C., Sprigg, C., Best, L., & Kwok, O. (2017). Understanding the relationship between experiencing workplace cyberbullying, employee mental strain and job satisfaction: A dysempowerment approach. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 28(7), 945–972.
• De Stefano, V., Durri, I., Stylogiannis, C., & Wouters, M. (2020). “System needs update”: Upgrading protection against cyberbullying and ICT-enabled violence and harassment in the world of work (No. 1). ILO Working Paper.
• Didden, R., Scholte, R. H. J., Korzilius, H., de Moor, J. M. H., Vermeulen, A., O’Reilly, M., & Lang, R. (2009). Cyberbullying among students with intellectual and developmental disability in special education settings. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 12(3), 146–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518420902971356
• Dooley, J. J., Pyżalski, J., & Cross, D. (2009). Cyberbullying versus face-to-face bullying. Zeitschrift für Psychologie / Journal of Psychology, 217(4), 182–188. https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.182
• European Court of Human Rights. (1950). European Convention on Human Rights.
• European Union. (2016). General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Farley, S., Coyne, I., Sprigg, C., Axtell, C., & Subramanian, G. (2015). Exploring the impact of workplace cyberbullying on trainee doctors. Medical Education, 49(4), 436–443.
• Goebert, D., Else, I., Matsu, C., Chung-Do, J., & Chang, J. (2011). The impact of cyberbullying on substance use and mental health in a multiethnic sample. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49(2), 128–134.
• Hong, J. C., Lin, C. H., Hwang, M. Y., Hu, R. P., & Chen, Y. L. (2014). Positive affect predicting worker psychological response to cyberbullying in the high-tech industry in Northern Taiwan. Computers in Human Behavior, 30, 307–314.
• International Labour Organization (ILO). (2019). Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment.
• İş Kanunu. (2003). 4857 Sayılı İş Kanunu. Resmî Gazete, 25134.
• Jon-Chao, H., Chien-Hou, L., Ming-Yueh, H., Ru-Ping, H., & Yi-Ling, C. (2014). Positive affect predicting worker psychological response to cyberbullying in the high-tech industry in Northern Taiwan. Computers in Human Behavior, 30, 307–314.
• Kanbur, A., & Kanbur, E. (2018). İşyerinde siber zorbalık ölçeği’nin Türkçeye uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik sınama çalışması. Psikoloji Çalışmaları Dergisi, 38(2).
• Kane, K., & Montgomery, K. (1998). A framework for understanding dysempowerment in organizations. Human Resource Management, 37(3), 263–275.
• Kızgın, Y., & Dalgın, T. (2012). Atfetme teorisi: Öğrencilerin başarı ve başarısızlıklarını değerlendirmedeki atfetme farklılıkları. Zonguldak Karaelmas Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 8(15), 61–77.
• Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu. (2016). 6698 Sayılı Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu. Resmî Gazete, 29677.
• Kowalski, M. R., Toth, A., & Morgan, M. (2017). Bullying and cyberbullying in adulthood and the workplace. The Journal of Social Psychology, 157(6), 577–593.
• Lim, V. K. G., & Teo, T. S. H. (2009). Mind your e-manners: Impact of cyber incivility on employees’ work attitude and behavior. Information & Management, 46(8), 419–425.
• Marczak, M., & Coyne, I. (2010). Cyberbullying at school: Good practice and legal aspects in the United Kingdom. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 20(2), 182–193. https://doi.org/10.1375/ajgc.20.2.182
• Mason, K. L. (2008). Cyberbullying: A preliminary assessment for school personnel. Psychology in the Schools, 45(4), 323–348. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.20301
• Mollamahmutoğlu, H., Astarlı, M., & Baysal, U. (2021). İş hukuku ders kitabı: Cilt 1: Bireysel iş hukuku (5. baskı). Lykeion Yayınları.
• Morales, M. (2011). Cyberbullying. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 15(4), 406–419. https://doi.org/10.1080/15398285.2011.623593
• Palermiti, A. L., Servidio, R., Bartolo, M. G., & Costabile, A. (2017). Cyberbullying and self-esteem: An Italian study. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 136–141.
• Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2010). Cyberbullying and self-esteem. Journal of School Health, 80(12), 614–621. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00548.x
• Price, M., & Dalgleish, J. (2010). Cyberbullying experiences, impacts and coping strategies as described by Australian young people. Youth Studies Australia, 29(2), 51–59.
• Privitera, C., & Campbell, M. A. (2009). Cyberbullying: The new face of workplace bullying? CyberPsychology & Behavior, 12(4), 395–400.
• Schneider, S. K., O’Donnell, L., Stueve, A., & Coulter, R. W. S. (2012). Cyberbullying, school bullying, and psychological distress: A regional census of high school students. American Journal of Public Health, 102(1), 171–177. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300308
• Snyman, R., & Loh, J. M. I. (2015). Cyberbullying at work: The mediating role of optimism between cyberbullying and job outcomes. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 161–168.
• Sourander, A., Klomek, A. B., Ikonen, M., Lindroos, J., Luntamo, T., Koskelainen, M., & Ristkari, T. (2010). Psychosocial risk factors associated with cyberbullying among adolescents: A population-based study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(7), 720–728. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.79
• Tan, H. Ş. (2020). Siber zorbalık eğitiminde durumlu öğrenme yönteminin uygulanması (Yüksek lisans tezi).
• Türk Borçlar Kanunu. (2011). 6098 Sayılı Türk Borçlar Kanunu. Resmî Gazete, 27836.
• Türk Ceza Kanunu. (2004). 5237 Sayılı Türk Ceza Kanunu. Resmî Gazete, 25611.
• UK Parliament. (1974). Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Wildhaber, I., & Hansenberger, S. (2016). Internet am Arbeitsplatzs. Zeitschrift des Bernischen Juristenvereins, 152, 307–341.
• Wong-Lo, M., Bullock, L. M., & Gable, R. A. (2011). Cyber bullying: Practices to face digital aggression. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 16(3), 317–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2011.595098
• Yaman, E., & Peker, A. (2012). The perceptions of adolescents about cyberbullying and cybervictimization. Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 11(3), 819–833.
• Zhang, S., & Leidner, D. (2014). Workplace cyberbullying: The antecedents and consequences. In 20th Americas Conference on Information Systems (pp. 1–11). Savannah, GA, USA.