THE PHENOMENON OF CYBERBULLYING AMONG TEENAGERS

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the phenomenon of cyberbullying among teenagers. This phenomenon has been defined as behavior that causes emotional harm, carried out using electronic means or as harassment, tormenting, persecution on the Internet. The phenomenon of cyberbullying covers a wide range, its types include cyberstalking, doxing, swatting, sexual harassment and revenge pornography, as well as slander, slander, peer violence, defamation, intimidation, incitement to suicide. The study was conducted as part of a quantitative strategy, in which 70 people between 12 and 21 years of age participated. The study used a questionnaire, and the technique was surveying. The results of the study indicate that young people encountered cyberbullying personally most often between the ages of 13 and 15. The conducted research shows that 97.1% of the respondents encountered cyberbullying personally. This result is surprising, because these are young people who are just starting their lives, and at such a young age they encountered cyberbullying. Respondents who experienced cyberbullying were asked to indicate the type of violence, the most common answers were: insults, blackmail, intimidation, racism. Regarding the response to cyberbullying, the most common response was to inform parents and contact the police. It can be concluded from this that young people seek help from people they trust the most and can rely on. The way to combat cyberaggression, cyberbullying is cooperation, both between parents and schools, as well as the student community, the police and other entities. In order to prevent and minimize the occurrence of cyberbullying, cooperation and support for victims is necessary.