Cyberbullying in the Social Media Environment: Investigating Young Adults' Experiences in Malaysia

Abstract

The rise of social media in Malaysia has transformed communication, yet it has also ushered in cyberbullying. This study explores cyberbullying experiences among Malaysian young adults, focusing on their engagement, language use, and coping mechanisms. Data from 148 university students reveal that cyberbullying is prevalent on platforms like Facebook which is mainly instigated by strangers, online contacts, classmates, and friends. The most common cyberbullying types identified are physical-related and intelligence-related. While most participants acknowledged the harm of offensive language, a significant portion admitted to ignoring incidents, emphasising the need for targeted interventions and education to combat cyberbullying among Malaysian youth.