Investigating Cyberbullying in Federal College of Education Gidan Madi: Types, Levels, Consequences, and Causal Factors

This research seeks to deepen understanding on Federal College of Education Gidan Madi Sokoto State, prevalence, effects, and causes of cyberbullying in tertiary institutions in Sokoto State, Nigeria, with the bearing on Federal College of Education Gidan Madi, Sokoto States. The study adopted the quantitative descriptive design of research under the positivist philosophy. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed across four tertiary institutions with 2,000 students sampled in total. Data were subsequently analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in pursuit of patterns, relationships, and trends. It is uncovered that all sorts of cyberbullying activities are largely perpetrated in the environment included are sending offensive messages, spreading false information, creating fake profiles, and excluding victims from online communities, while messaging applications and social media serve as their avenues. Cyberbullying factors include anonymity; peer pressure; political and religious tensions; and some level of nonawareness of the policy toward combating the menace in the institution by the victim or some perpetrators. Reported consequences of cyberbullying include emotional distress and poor self-esteem, onset of decline of academic performances, and social isolation. The study further reveals the major gaps that exist in institutional awareness campaigns and on preventive measures; thus, most students remain unaware of such policies and those who may be aware are mostly hesitant to report incidents. Some of the recommendations would be to put down and implement clear anti-cyberbullying policies; strengthening awareness programs; developing campaigns for good digital behaviour; and strengthening reporting and support mechanisms. This research contributes to understanding cyberbullying dynamics in Nigerian higher education and aims at providing evidence-based guidance to policymakers, educators, and administrators on measures to alleviate its harmful effects.

Cyberbullying, College students, Types of cyberbullying

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