Cyberbullying on Social Media Platforms among University Students in Jordan

Abstract

With  the increase in Internet and social media users, it is logical that these platforms would be used for interpersonal harm among youth. Although the detrimental effects of cyberbullying have been widely researched, little research has focused on the different types of cyberbullying behavior regarding  the Arab communities and their characteristics. Further compounding this issue is the unwillingness to report incidents of cyberbullying, a phenomenon shaped by the social and cultural  expectations of these societies. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the prevalence of cyberbullying among  university students in an Arab community, its forms, and platforms, investigating their attitudes towards reporting such cases versus continued silence. In this study conducted in Jordan, data were collected from a sample of 250 students, and it was concluded that all respondents (100%) confirmed social media as  a platform for cyberbullying. Facebook (79.6%) and Instagram (49.2%) were the  primary platforms for such behavior. The findings highlight the importance  of novel approaches — such as the development of smartphone applications, the implementation of a stricter legal system, and employing the proactive approach to tackle this widespread concern.