Abstract
The present study explores the language of Cyberbullying (henceforth
CB), its consequences, reasons and preventions from the perspectives
of female university students. A questionnaire was administered
among 378 female university students to look for: (a) commonly
emerging linguistic patterns which were exploited by aggressors to
victimize the participants, (b) the mental health outcomes of CB
attacks (c) the reasons which made the participants vulnerable to CB,
and (d) the prevention measures based on the experiences of the
participants. The data unveiled that the aggressor used socially and
culturally disapproved linguistic expressions and semiotic resources
(e.g., images, graphic illustrations and videos) to victimize the
participants. The participants admitted that because of the social norms
and a fear of family restrictions in attending university, they failed to
share CB experiences with their parents, guardians and peers.
Eventually, they accumulated depression, which culminated into
problems in eating and sleeping, poor academic performance and trust
deficits. The data further revealed that the participants were victimized
for moral disengagement of the aggressors. Moreover, reporting the
concerned authority, blocking aggressor and seeking help from family
and friends proved to be more effective ways for victims to shield
against CB assaults. The study demands attention by parents,
educational institutes and governments to ensure a safe virtual space
for young people.
Muhammad Shaban Rafi, Sibgha Sarwar. (2019) Language of Cyberbullying: Implications for Mental Health on Pakistani University Female Students: Reasons and Preventions, Pakistan Journal of Professional Psychology Research and Practice, Volume 10 (1), Volume 10(1).
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