Prevalence and Prevention Strategies of Cyberbullying among Nigerian Students ()
ABSTRACT
Cyberbullying is a problem that has emerged as
a byproduct of modern-day technologies. This form of aggression occurs when one
or more individuals use a technological medium for the purpose of intimidating
or harming others. In spite of the popularity of technological
devices among Nigerian youths presently, there remains a critical gap in
literature relating to cyberbullying and its possible effects on students in
Nigeria. This study thus sought to identify
if a relationship exists between traditional bullying and cyberbullying; examine the effect of cyberbullying on students’ psychological behavior; and
examine ways in which cyberbullying might be prevented. The sample consists of
students from tertiary institutions while the results were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.
The result of the findings showed that significant correlations were
found between traditional bullies and cyberbullies (rranks = 0.322,
p < 0.001), cyberbullies and
cyberbullied victim (rranks = 0.401, p < 0.0001). There were also
significant correlations found between bullies and bully victims (rranks = 0.326, p < 0.001) and between bullied victim and
cyberbully victim (rranks = 0.160, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that traditional
bullying and cyberbullying share a strong relationship with one another.
Furthermore, it was also discovered that those who were victimized through
traditional bullying or cyberbullying were also likely to bully others. The result showed that cyberbullied victims often
exhibit a variety of negative outcomes
especially anger, embarrassment, fear and anxiety. A Spearman Rank-Order
correlation revealed a negative association between grade level and
cyberbullies (rranks = 0.034, p = 0.355) as well as grade level and
cyberbully victims (rranks = 0.107, p = 0.217). A significantly
positive relationship occurred between frequency of computer use and
cyberbullies (rranks = 0.206, p = 0.015), as well as between
frequency of computer use and electronic victimization (rranks =
0.223, p = 0.012). The study concluded that parents, school and mental health
providers must not only be aware of cyberbullying and its consequences, but
must also have access to ways to deal with this growing concern through public
awareness building, anger management training for youths and the establishment
of mentorship programs for youths to help one other.
Share and Cite:
Olasanmi, O. , Agbaje, Y. and Adeyemi, M. (2020) Prevalence and Prevention Strategies of Cyberbullying among Nigerian Students.
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
10, 351-363. doi:
10.4236/ojapps.2020.106026.