Cyber bullying: an emerging problem in COVID-19 times among students taking online classes undergoing graduation in North India

Abstract

Background: As COVID-19 continues, academics have shifted from practical and virtual classes to web-based online lectures. Being an online portal, virtual offences can also take place. One of them is cyberbullying. Students are already undergoing phase of psychosocial changes because of this scenario. If an incident of cyberbullying happens with them or with their friends and siblings, it causes a great impact on their mental health. To determine the prevalence of cyberbullying among students who were currently taking online classes.Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted through Google form from July to September 2020 on the students >18 years taking online classes. All the students who gave consent and filled the form were included. The aim of the study was explained. Information collected was kept strictly confidential.Results: A total of 462 participants (mean age=22±4 years) completed an online survey comprising of about 55% females and 45% males. Around 22% of the study subjects had reported that they were bullied either in schools or previously also. Through this online survey nearly 11% of the study subjects reported that they were cyber bullied in the past 2-3 months and about 13% were not sure whether they were cyberbullied or not. There is statistically significant difference (p value=0.0081) between gender and cyberbullying and also among medical and non-medical students (p value=0.0001).Conclusions: Cyberbullying is increasing along with online classes which is more experienced with girls. According to this study, it is more experienced by the girls now a days. There is a marked difference in the occurrence of cyberbullying among medical and non-medical streams.

The flip side of social media: unveiling the effects of social media on mental health

“…This can lead to severe emotional distress and harm to one's reputation. 6,7 Cyberbullying, just like other forms of bullying, might lead to serious, long-lasting problems. The stress of living with a constant state of disturbance or fear can lead to issues with mood, energy level, sleep, as well as appetite.…”