Cyberbullying from University Students Perspective: A Qualitative Analysis

Farhat Ullah1, Muhammad Sajjad2 & Shakeel Ahmed3

Abstract
Cyberbullying is a problem that has growing locally as a result of the internet’s accessibility and advanced technology such as smartphones, iPads, and laptops. The purpose of this research is to look at University students‘ experiences with cyberbullying and preventive measures, if any, among a group of undergraduate students. In Pakistan, there is a lack of qualitative studies on the views and experiences of cyberbullying among Pakistanis youth. Having no previous knowledge of their experiences with cyberbullying, in-depth interviews
were conducted through a convenient sampling technique from undergraduate  university students of social sciences (aged 21-23) in several departments at Kohat University of Science and Technology in KP, Pakistan. A total of 48 respondents were interviewed. According to the findings, cyberbullying has a serious impact on students’ psyches, resulting in mental disturbance, weak educational performance, and interpersonal gaps. Research results discovered that there is an extensive gender gap, with girls being more likely than boys to be
sufferers of cyberbullying and to be impacted by it. This research explores the reasons for Cyberbullying as well which include fun, prejudice, envy, and vengeance who breached university or societal rules/norms, such as by deceiving others or being promiscuous, were among these causes. The research suggests that parents, educational institutions, and governments pay attention to providing a secure virtual environment for students.

Keywords: Cyberbullying, Pakistan context, Social network sites, Qualitative research