Cyberbullying Prevalence at a Rural Based University in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Defences within the digital space against cybersecurity include detection, prevention and response to threats using software tools, however, there no significant technology-based defence systems that deal with cyberbullying related threats. A lack of cybersecurity defence systems and limited cybersecuriy awareness may expose students to cyberbullying and students are likely to suffer, resulting in effects such as psychological and emotional abuse that may eventually contribute towards high drop-outs rates. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cyberbullying among students at a public university based in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This research study followed a mixed method approach and a thematic analysis guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) theoretical framework. The study found strong cyberbullying penetration within the student community under investigation. As part of the study findings, it was found that activities such as cybersecurity awareness programmes may mitigate the impact of cyberbullying on students and such interventions should form part of any higher education institution’s responsibility.