Elektroninių patyčių paplitimas gimnazijose
Recenzentas / Rewiewer |
Licencinė sutartis Nr. MRU-EDT-1747.
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Cyberbullying is widespread across the world among people of different age groups. It is recognized as a global public health issue, with the most significant impact observed among adolescents. Adolescence is a period characterized by biological, social, and behavioral changes that influence lifestyle, social, family, cultural, and spiritual activities, as well as personality development. Cyberbullying is associated with depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances, headaches, loss of appetite, and may also contribute to substance abuse and criminal behavior. Given the influence young people have on their peers and the potential harm it can cause, the prevalence of cyberbullying in high schools is an important issue requiring attention. This scientific study conducted a theoretical analysis related to the concept, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying, its prevalence in foreign countries and Lithuania, as well as prevention possibilities in educational institutions and approaches to addressing the issue in the field of child protection. The study hypothesizes that more than 20% of high school students experience cyberbullying. Research object – the prevalence of cyberbullying in high schools. Research aim – to determine the extent of cyberbullying in high schools. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed in this study. To determine the scale of cyberbullying among high school students, a survey was conducted due to its clarity, reliability, and unambiguity. To examine the specifics of cyberbullying in the work of child protection specialists, a structured written interview was carried out, chosen for its clarity and convenience, allowing respondents to control the speed, time, and place of completing the questionnaire. The quantitative research sample consisted of 202 high school students from different schools in Kaunas. The collected data was processed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Statistical data analysis was applied, including descriptive statistics, percentage-based response frequency calculations, mode determination, and cross-tabulation analysis. To identify significant differences between response groups, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used, and to examine correlations between specific responses, the Spearman correlation test was conducted. The qualitative research sample consisted of seven child protection specialists working in the Kaunas city child protection department. The collected data was processed using the QDA Miner Lite program, applying a traditional content analysis method. The analysis was conducted systematically, involving repeated reading of texts, categorization, and interpretation of relevant subcategories. The traditional content analysis method was used to reveal key thoughts, ideas, and patterns among the study participants. Key research findings: 1. Cyberbullying is quite prevalent among high school students – 28.7% of students in grades I-IV reported experiencing cyberbullying, with 16-year-olds being the most affected. Cyberbullying most commonly occurs on social media platforms, chat sites, and through messages. While students experience various negative emotions due to cyberbullying, most choose not to report the incidents or seek help. 2. Child protection specialists encounter cases of cyberbullying in their work – although such reports are not frequent, they do occur. Specialists believe that parents and educational institutions should be responsible for cyberbullying prevention among high school students, and prevention should be implemented in a manner that is understandable and accessible to them. 3. The hypothesis that more than 20% of high school students experience cyberbullying was confirmed.