Prevalence of cyberbullying among university students (A comparison between Philippines and Turkey)

Innovations in technology has produced significant changes in people's lives. The use of internet, for example, gives people the opportunity to acquire new knowledge, communicate with people around the globe, and convenience to do the respective tasks. However, it also becomes the avenue for bullying online. This phenomenon is widely known as cyberbullying which is a worldwide, arising problem alongside with the misuse of technological advancements. Subsequently, the study of the cyberbullying in a cross-cultural and international perspective is essential as the technology is becoming more globally accessible to the people worldwide, especially to young people. The principal aim of this study is to compare the cyberbullying victimization and perpetration behaviours in terms of its prevalence and instances among university students. There was a total of 250 university students from Turkey and 250 university students from Philippines who participated in this study. Quantitative research design, particularly, descriptive method was used in the study. Results shown that a significant difference in cyberbullying behaviours were found between university students from Turkey and Philippines. University students in Philippines had higher exposure to cyber-victimization and had greater cyberbullying perpetration experiences more than the university students in Turkey. Yet, both cyberbullying victimization and perpetration were found to be prevalent in both samples. Lastly, the primary effects and reasons of cyberbullying on/ among victims from Turkey and Philippines learnt to be similar. This study on the comparative analysis of data from two diverse nations may deliver empirical foundation for programs, guidelines and an action plan that can assist in preventing cyberbullying as well as reinforcing group for cyber-victims in distinctive cultural and institutional backgrounds.