Investigation of cyberbullying/cyber victimization, awareness status and self-efficacy perceptions towards online technologies of medical students

Cyberbullying is defined as through information technologies such as mobile phone, e-mail, web sites etc. the individual to another person threat, harassment, intimidation and malicious, continuous, deliberate behavior. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the levels of cyberbullying/cyber victimization, cyberbullying awareness and the level of online technology use self-efficacy perception status of medical students who have just started education in their faculties. The research was conducted according to survey model. The study group consisted of 307 students. Research data was obtained via Personal Information Form, Cyberbullying/Cyber Victimization Scale, Cyberbullying Awareness Scale, Self-Efficacy Perception Scale for Online Technologies. The data was analyzed with SPSS 22.0 statistical package program. It was determined that the level of cyberbullying and cyber victimization of the students was very low. However, students' perception of cyberbullying awareness and and the level of online technology use self-efficacy perception status were high. It was determined that female students and those with high academic achievement had higher awareness. While there was no significant relationship between students' cyberbullying status and gender, academic success, internet usage time and place of residence variables, it was determined that there was a significant relationship between the status of cyber victimization and the use of internet for a long time. There was no significant relationship between self-efficacy perception of online technology use and cyberbullying/victimization. It was determined that the students mostly used cyberbullying as a joke, and the victims were angry, worried and stressed.