An exploration of the exposure and effects of cyberbullying on students at the University of Limpopo

Abstract

In this study, the exposure and effects of cyberbullying on students at the University of Limpopo (UL) were explored. Furthermore, this study looked into the forms of cyberbullying that students were exposed to, the consequences of cyberbullying on victims, the relationship between the cyberbully and the cybervictim, the profile of typical victims, the reasons why students were reluctant to report cyberbullying incidents and the causes of cyberbullying. This study implemented a qualitative research approach. The fifteen participants were selected by means of non-probability purposive sampling. The researcher interviewed these participants guided by the Interview Schedule Guide and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to solicit to share their personal experiences of cyberbullying. Nine (09) participants were interviewed through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and only the other Six (06) participants formed part of One (01) FGD. The findings of this study were as follows; on the forms of cyberbullying, sexting was found to be the most victimisation that students experienced, students were mostly likely to be cyberbullied by someone they know rather than just a stranger, students experienced negative side effects of cyberbullying, ranging from psychological and academical. Females also experienced more cyberbullying as compared to males. Based on the findings of this study, the following recomendations are made; that there should be improved support for research that examines factors contributing to this type of bullying, in particular dealing with the students. There should also be an educational programme that informs people of cyberbullying and what constitutes cyberbullying. This could be done by educating people about cyberbullying and also by offering students counselling sessions. In addition, this method will help lecturers, parents and counsellors informed about the changing face of technology.

One of the efficient approaches can educate students on how to resolve the online bullying without retaliating, encourage youth to reveal their experiences to relevant stakeholders and universities to invent codes of conduct and other policies that tackle cyberbullying. Online bullying prevention strategies should be incorporated in the campus curriculum and should also include substantive instruction on cyberbullying.