Cyber Bullying and Victimization among University Students

Yıl 2022, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2, 297 - 307, 26.03.2022

Mesut Gönültaş

Öz

The study aimed to reveal the prevalence of cyber bullying and victimization among university students and to analyze whether levels of cyber bullying and victimization in students can be differentiated according to the level of problematic Internet use. Moreover, the study intended to examine the relationships between gender, year level, and level of income and cyber bullying and victimization. The team recruited 863 university students enrolled at different departments of Ege University, during academic year 2017–2018. The Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory, Problematic Internet Usage Scale (PIUS), and Demographic Information Form were used for data collection. Multiple linear regression analysis and the Kruskal–Wallis H-test were used for data analyses. Results indicated that cyber bullying and victimization are common problems among university students with prevalence rates of 57% and 68%, respectively, among students in the current sample. The findings demonstrated that levels of cyber bullying and victimization differed based on gender and level of income. However, no significant relationship was observed with year level. Additionally, the “negative consequences of the Internet” and “social comfort,” which are two subscales of PIUS, predicted the prevalence of cyber bullying and victimization. Excessive usage, the third subscale, did not predict any variable. Considering the findings obtained from this study, further research on university students and adults is suggested. Moreover, preventive measures to secure the Internet should be considered to prevent cyber bullying. Specifically, developing intervention programs for cyber victims is necessary to mitigate the negative effects.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Cyber bullying, cyber victimization, problematic Internet use, gender differences

Kaynakça

• Akbulut, Y., & Eristi, B. (2011). Cyberbullying and victimisation among Turkish university students. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 27(7), 1155-1170.
• Akdağ, M., Şahan Yılmaz, B., Özhan, U., & Şan, İ. (2014). Üniversite öğrencilerinin internet bağımlılıklarının çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelenmesi (İnönü Üniversitesi Örneği). İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 15(1), 73-96. DOI: 10.17679/iuefd.98972
• Arıcak, O. T. (2009). Psychiatric symptomatology as a predictor of cyberbullying among university students. Egitim Arastirmalari-Eurasian Journal of Educational Research(34), 167-184.
• Arıcak, T., Siyahhan, S., Uzunhasanoğlu, A., Sarıbeyoğlu, S., Cıplak, S., Yılmaz, N., & Memmedov, C. (2008). Cyberbullying among Turkish adolescents. Cyberpsychology& Behavior, 11(3), 253-261. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2007.0016
• Ayas, T., & Pişkin, M. (2011). Lise öğrencileri arasındaki zorbalık olaylarının cinsiyet, sınıf düzeyi ve okul türü bakımından incelenmesi. İlköğretim Online, 10(2), 550-568.
• Bauman, S., & Newman, M. L. (2013). Testing assumptions about cyberbullying: perceived distress associated with acts of conventional and cyber bullying. Psychology of Violence, 3(1), 27–38.
• Bayraktar, F., & Gün, Z. (2007). Incidence and correlates of ınternet usage among adolescents in North Cyprus. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 10(2), 191-197. DOI: 10.1089/cpb.2006.9969
• Beran, T., & Li, Q. (2005). Cyber-Harassment: A study of a new method for an old behavior. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 32(3), 265-277. https://doi.org/10.2190/8YQM-B04H-PG4D-BLLH
• Block, J. J. (2008). Issues for DSM-V: Internet addiction. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 165(3), 306-307. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.07101556
• Byrne, V. L. (2021). Blocking and self-silencing: Undergraduate students’ cyberbullying victimization and coping strategies. TechTrends(65), 164–173. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-020-00560-x
• Calvete, E., Orue, I., Estévez, A., Villardón, L., & Padilla, P. (2010). Cyberbullying in adolescents: Modalities and aggressors’ profile. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(5), 1128–1135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.03.017
• Caplan, S. E. (2003). Preference for online social ınteraction: A theory of problematic ınternet use and psychosocial well-being. Communication Research, 30(6), 625-648. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650203257842
• Cénat,, J. M., Smith, K., Hébert, M., & Derivois, D. (2021). Polyvictimization and cybervictimization among college students from france: The mediation role of psychological distress and resilience. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(17-18), 9252-9271. doi:10.1177/0886260519854554
• Ceyhan, E. (2010). Problemli internet kullanım düzeyi üzerinde kimlik statüsünün, internet kullanım amacının ve cinsiyetin yordayıcılığı. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 10(3), 1323-1355.
• Ceyhan, E., Ceyhan, A. A., & Gürcan, A. (2007). Problemli internet kullanımı ölçeği'nin geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışmaları. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 7(1), 387-416.
• Deniz, M. (2015). A study on primary school students’ being cyber bullies and victims according to gender, grade, and socioeconomic status. Croatian Journal of Education, 17(3), 659-680. https://doi.org/10.15516/cje.v17i3.835
• Dilmaç, B. (2009). Sanal zorbalığı yordayan psikolojik ihtiyaçlar: Lisans öğrencileri için bir ön çalışma. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 9(3), 1291-1325.
• Dölek, N. (2002). Öğrencilerde zorbaca davranışların araştırılması ve bir önleyici program modeli [Doktora Tezi]. Marmara Üniversitesi, İstanbul.
• Erdur-Baker, Ö., & Kavşut, F. (2007). Akran zorbalığının yeni yüzü: Siber zorbalık. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research(27), 31-42.
• Faucher, C., Jackson, M., & Cassidy, W. (2014). Cyberbullying among university students: Gendered experiences, ımpacts, and perspectives. Education Research International, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/698545
• Feijóo, S., Foody, M., Norman, J. O., Pichel, R., & Rial, A. (2021). Cyberbullies, the cyberbullied, and problematic ınternet use: Some reasonable similarities. Psicothema, 33(2), 198-205. doi:10.7334/psicothema2020.209
• Fırat, M., & Ayran, G. (2016). Üniversite öğrencileri arasında sanal zorbalık. TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 15(4), 322-329. DOI: 10.5455/pmb.1-1450776947
• Gámez-Guadix, M., Orue, I., Smith, P. K., & Calvete, E. (2013). Longitudinal and reciprocal relations of cyberbullying with depression, substance use, and problematic ınternet use among adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(4), 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.03.030
• Heiman, T., & Olenik-Shemesh, D. (2015). Cyberbullying experience and gender differences among adolescents in different educational settings. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 48(2), 146-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219413492855
• Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. (2008). Cyberbullying: An exploratory analysis of factors related to offending and victimization. Deviant Behavior, 29(2), 129-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620701457816
• Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. (2009). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Sage.
• Huan, V. S., Ang, R. P., Chong, W. H., & Chye, S. (2014). The ımpact of shyness on problematic ınternet use: the role of loneliness. The Journal of Psychology, 148(6), 699–715. DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2013.825229
• Jung, Y.-E., Leventhal, B., Kim, Y. S., Park, T. W., Lee, S.-H., Lee, M., Park, J.-I. (2014). Cyberbullying, problematic ınternet use, and psychopathologic symptoms among Korean Youth. Yonsei Med J, 55(3), 826-830. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2014.55.3.826
• Kalender, M. K., Keser, H., & Tugun, V. (2019). Ortaokul ve lise öğrencilerinin siber zorbalık görüşleri, deneyimleri ve müdahale davranışları. Education and Science, 44(198), 183-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.15390/EB.2019.7820
• Khan, M. A., Alvi, A. A., Shabbir, F., & Rajput, T. A. (2016). Effect of Internet addiction on academic performance of medical students. Journal of Islamic International Medical College(11), 48-51.
• Kınay, H. (2012). Lise öğrencilerinin siber zorbalık duyarlılığının riskli davranış, korumacı davranış, suça maruziyet ve tehlike algısı ile ilişkisi ve çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelenmesi [Master Thesis]. Sakarya University, Sakarya.
• Kim, H. K., & Davis, K. E. (2009). Toward a comprehensive theory of problematic internet use: Evaluating the role of self-esteem, anxiety, flow, and the self-rated importance of internet activities. Computers in Human Behavior, 25(2), 490-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2008.11.001
• Kirby, E. (2008). Eliminate bullying-A legal imperative. National Association of Secondary School, 8(2), 1-6.
• Kowalski, R. M., Limber, S. P., & McCord, A. (2019). A developmental approach to cyberbullying: Prevalence and protective factors. Aggression and Violent Behavior(45), 20-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.02.009
• Lam, L. T. (2014). Risk factors of Internet addiction and the health effect of internet addiction on adolescents: A systematic review of longitudinal and prospective studies. Current Psychiatry Reports, 16(11), 508.
• Leung, A. N., Wong, N., & Farver, J. M. (2018). Cyberbullying in Hong Kong Chinese students: Life satisfaction, and the moderating role of friendship qualities on cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. Personality and Individual Differences(133), 7-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.07.016
• Li, Q. (2006). Cyberbullying in schools: A research of gender differences. School Psychology International, 27(2), 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034306064547
• Mesch, G. S. (2009). Parental mediation, online activities, and cyberbullying. CyberPsychology and Behavior, 12(4), 387-393. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2009.0068
• Morahan-Martin, J., & Schumacher, P. (2000). Incidence and correlates of pathological ınternet use among collage students. Computers in Human Behavior, 16(1), 13-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(99)00049-7
• Park, S., Na, E.-Y., & Kim, E.-m. (2014). The relationship between online activities, netiquette and cyberbullying. Children and Youth Services Review(42), 74-81.
• Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2006). Bullies move beyond the schoolyard: A preliminary look at cyberbullying. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 4(2), 148-169. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204006286288
• 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
• Qudah, M. F., Albursan, I. S., Bakhiet, S., Hassan, E. M., Alfnan, A. A., Aljomaa, S. S., & AL-khadher, M. A. (2019). Smartphone addiction and ıts relationship with cyberbullying among university students. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction (17), 628-643. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-018-0013-7
• Qudah, M., Al Barashdi, H. S., Hassan, E. M., Albursan, I., Heilat, M., Bakhiet, S., & Al Khadher, M. (2020). Psychological security, psychological loneliness, and age as the predictors of cyber bullying among university students. Community Mental Health Journal, 56(3), 393-403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00455-z
• Sayeed, A., Rahman, M. H., Hassan, N., Christopher, E., Kundu, S., Banna, H. A., . . . Hasan, M. T. (2021). Problematic internet use associated with depression, health, and internet-use behaviors among university students of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. Children and Youth Services Review(120), 1-7. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105771
• Shariff, S. (2005). Cyber-dilemmas in the New Millennium: School obligations to provide student safety in a virtual school environment. McGill Journal of Education, 40(3), 457-477.
• Slonje, R., & Smith, P. K. (2008). Cyberbullying: Another main type of bullying? Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 49(2), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2007.00611.x
• Smith, P., Mahdavi, J., Carvalho, M., & Tippett, N. (2006). An investigation into cyberbullying, its forms, awareness and impact, and the relationship between age and gender in cyberbullying. Research Brief No. RBX03-06. London: DfES.
• Spada, M. M. (2014). An overview of problematic Internet use. Addictive Behaviors, 39(1), 3-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.007
• Stats, I. W. (2022). Internet usage statistics. Retrieved January 15, 2022 from Internet World Stats: https://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
• Syts, Y. (2004). Beyond the schoolyard: Examining electronic bullying among Canadian Youth [Doctoral dissertation]. Carleton University, Ottawa.
• Topcu, Ç., & Erdur-Baker, Ö. (2010). The revised cyber bullying ınventory (RCBI): Validity and reliability studies. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences (5), 660-664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.161
• Turan, N., Polat, O., Karapirli, M., Uysal, C., & Turan, S. G. (2011). The new violence type of the era: Cyber bullying among university students Violence among university students. Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research(17), 21-26.
• Wade, A., & Beran, T. (2011). Cyberbullying: The new era of bullying. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 26(1), 44-61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0829573510396318
• Wang, P., Wang, X., & Lei, L. (2021). Gender differences between student–student relationship and cyberbullying perpetration: An evolutionary perspective. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(19-20), 9187-9207. doi:10.1177/0886260519865970
• Ybarra, M., West, M. D., & Leaf, P. (2007). Examining the overlap in ınternet harassment and school bullying: Implications for school ıntervention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(6), 42-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.004
• Yılmaz, E., Şahin, Y. L., Haseski, H. İ., & Erol, O. (2014). Lise öğrencilerinin internet bağımlılık düzeylerinin çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi: Balıkesir ili örneği. Eğitim Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, 4(1), 133-144. DOI Number: http://dx.doi.org/10.12973/jesr.2014.41.7
• Young, K. S. (2004). Internet addiction: a new clinical phenomenon and its consequences. American Behavioral Scientist(48), 402-415. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764204270278
• Zsila, Á., Orosz, G., Király, O., Urbán, R., Ujhelyi, A., Jármi, É., Demetrovics, Z. (2018). Psychoactive substance use and problematic ınternet use as predictors of bullying and cyberbullyingvictimization. Int J Ment Health Addiction, 16(2), 466-479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9809-0