Examining the relationship between privacy awareness and peer bullying

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the privacy awareness levels of 5th grade middle school students and their levels of peer bullying and being exposed to peer bullying. The relational screening model was used in the study. The research population consists of 5th grade individuals studying in the 2024-2025 academic year in the Izmit district of Kocaeli province. The Privacy Awareness Scale for Primary School Students, was used to determine the privacy awareness levels of the students, and the Peer Bullies Identification Scale, was used to determine the levels of students' peer bullying and exposure to peer bullying. Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis and Spearman Rank Difference Correlation coefficient were used to analyze the research data. According to the analysis of the data obtained from the research, a negative, low-level, statistically significant relationship was found between the students' privacy awareness levels and their exposure to peer bullying, while a negative, moderate, statistically significant relationship was found between the privacy awareness levels and their levels of perpetration of peer bullying. The findings related to the research problems have been discussed, and the results of the research and recommendations for future research have been included.