Uncovering the Prevalence and Consequences of Cyberbullying Among Female Students as Virtual Violence in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study, titled "Uncovering the Prevalence and Consequences of Cyberbullying Among Female Students as Virtual Violence in Bangladesh," aims to assess the prevalence, identify common forms, examine impacts, and develop policy recommendations for addressing cyberbullying. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative data from an online survey of 90 female students from the University of Dhaka and Eden Mohila College with qualitative data from 10 detailed case studies. The findings reveal that 66.6% of respondents are from middle-income families, 24.4% from higher-income families, and 8% from lower-income families. Alarmingly, all respondents reported experiencing cyberbullying or harassment online, with 72% victimized weekly and 86% daily. Inappropriate comments were encountered by 83.3%, primarily on Facebook (87.77%), Messenger (76%) and others chat-based app and online website. The psychological impact is significant, with 7.8% of respondents experiencing high levels of depression and 48.8% suffering from sleep disturbances. Additionally, 43 respondents reported a reduction in their reputation due to online harassment. The study underscores the urgent need for enhanced digital literacy and awareness, recommending initiatives by the government and the ICT division of Bangladesh to mitigate the effects of cyberbullying.