Title: CYBERBULLYING AMONG FINAL YEAR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA
Authors:
Dr Osadolor Asemota And Dr. Lucky Omoregie
Abstract:
With a focus on its frequency, digital platforms, psychological and academic effects, and the influence of institutional factors on students’ experiences and reporting behaviour, this study investigated cyberbullying among final-year students at the selected universities in Edo State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 152 respondents in a descriptive survey research design. The data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis, reliability testing, Pearson correlation, and descriptive statistics. The results showed that final-year students are victims of cyberbullying, albeit at moderate levels, according to several respondents. Cyberbullying was shown to occur more frequently on messaging apps, especially WhatsApp, than on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter). The findings showed that cyberbullying nevertheless has an impact on students’ academic motivation and overall university experience, even when a sizable percentage of students did not strongly perceive serious emotional or academic disruption. Digital platforms (r =.727), institutional influence on experience and reporting (r =.735), and cyberbullying impact and experience (r =.625) all had substantial positive correlations, all of which were significant at the 0.01 level, according to correlation analysis. The measuring scale’s good internal consistency was confirmed by the reliability test’s Cronbach’s Alpha of.882.The factors together explained 66.1% of the variance in the impact of cyberbullying, according to regression results (R² =.661). The largest predictor was found to be institutional impact, which was followed by cyberbullying experience and digital platforms. This suggests that university regulations, reporting routes, and support systems are important factors in determining students’ results. The study comes to the conclusion that institutional frameworks have a big impact on cyberbullying, which is still a major problem in higher education. In order to create a safer learning environment for students, it suggests that colleges increase policy knowledge, offer easily accessible reporting systems, improve counselling and support services, and conduct proactive digital safety education.
Keywords: Internet platforms, cyberbullying, institutional influence, psychological impacts, and Nigerian university students.
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