مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - An Investigation of Effects of Cyber Bullying on Students’ Academic, Social and Emotional States

Abstract :

The main purpose of this study is to examine experiences of students who were exposed to cyber bullying from social, emotional and academic achievement viewpoints. The current study has been conducted in a secondary school, located in Nevsehir. The study has been carried out as a qualitative case study. Twelve students were selected by using the criterion sampling method, a purposive sampling method. Data was obtained through interviews and analysed using descriptive analysis technique. The results of the study showed that students do not have adequate awareness about and coping strategies towards cyber bullying. Also parents of those children who were exposed to cyber bullying didn’t control their children adequately while they were using information and communication technologies. It was also found that students were exposed to cyber victimization especially in social network and online game environments mostly by swearwords and threats but generally they didn’t share these experiences with others. It was also revealed that students who were exposed to cyber bullying experienced negative emotions such as fear, anger, and nervousness. Lessened amount of study time and reduced rate of their academic achievement were also reported. Participants were not aware of the term “cyber bullying”. Students stated they experienced insomnia and monophobia during the exposure to cyber bullying. Fear of going out, doubts about other people, difficulty in communicating with others, thought of suicide were also among the findings.