Cyber Psychology from Educational Administration Perspective: Teachers and School Administrators’ Qualitative Insights

Year 2025, Volume: 33 Issue: 1, 108 - 123, 28.01.2025

Su Ertürk , Gülnihal Yıldırım , Temel Çalık

https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.1628420

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to cultivate awareness of the phenomena of bullying and security within the framework of cyber psychology. In line with this primary objective, the experiences and awareness levels of participating school administrators and teachers were examined.
Method: A descriptive phenomenological design, supported by a large sample, was employed to explore the semantic spectrum of cyber security and cyber bullying concepts. The study group consisted of 192 teachers and 64 school administrators, selected through purposeful sampling, specifically convenience sampling. A semi-structured online interview form served as the data collection tool. Content analysis was conducted with the goal of conceptualizing the data and identifying themes that describe the phenomenon. The findings are presented through descriptive narratives.
Findings: The findings reveal the significant emotional distress and security concerns negatively influenced by cyber psychology. Additionally, it has been found that cyberbullying and security issues lead to serious consequences for individuals, such as loss of self-confidence, social isolation, persistent anxiety, and long-term psychological trauma.The data reveal that females are the gender most frequently subjected to cyber bullying, with the most vulnerable age group being 14-18, followed by the 11-14 age range. The identified sub-themes of cyber bullying include fraud, hacking, violation of privacy, verbal abuse, blackmail, threatening and psychological violence.
Highlights: By examining the experiences of participants across a large sample, the study broadens the understanding of cyber bullying and security concepts. The detailed analysis of sub-themes provides both theoretical insights and practical recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. The study serves as an important reference to enhance awareness among teachers and school administrators who are the closest to children and youth in school and to develop measures that address the increasing challenges of internet use in education.

Keywords

Cyberpsychology, Cyber Awareness, Cyberbullying, Descriptive phenomenology, Educational Administration

Ethical Statement

Ethics Committee approval of Gazi University Ethics Committee Commission dated 13.11.2023 and numbered E-77082166-604.01.02-797715 for the research proposal.

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