ISSN: 2265-6294

Cyberbullying Victimization among Middle School Students in Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia

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Ohud Abdulrahman ALdaghmi, Nadia Bassuoni Elsharkawy, Enas Mahrous Abdelaziz, Nadia Bassuoni Elsharkawy

Abstract

Introduction: Teenagers' widespread adoption of online and social media forms of communication has brought with it a new set of problems, including cyberbullying. The victim, their loved ones, their school, and their community can all suffer irreparable harm as a result of cyberbullying. While numerous studies have detailed the harmful impacts of cyberbullying, very few have investigated its prevalence, different manifestations, and related factors in Saudi Arabia. The current research aims to assess the extent of cyberbullying and the factors that contribute to its occurrence among middle school students in Sakaka, Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: For this cross-sectional survey, 410 adolescents aged 12 to 16 from various middle schools filled out an online electronic questionnaire. Results and conclusions: Nearly a third (30.5%) of the participants reported being bullied online; Snapchat was the most common medium for this type of harassment (26.1%). Cyberbullying victims were more likely to be male, older, from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and heavy Internet users. According to the results of the current research, middle school adolescents are more vulnerable to becoming victims of cyberbullying. To lessen the risk of children being bullies or bullied, it is crucial to have a consistent national policy that provides students with protective training.

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