Cyberbullying hits SA teens’ grades and happiness, new study finds

Cyberbullying is knocking South African teenagers’ confidence, focus and marks, and experts say schools need to start tackling it differently depending on a pupil’s age, gender and favourite app.

A new study by Stellenbosch University’s Prof Daniel le Roux and Camryn Twaddle of Artefact South Africa found that nearly two-thirds (63.9%) of teenagers surveyed had been involved in cyberbullying.

The study surveyed pupils from five fee-paying high schools in more affluent communities, known as quintile 5 schools, after inviting several schools to take part.

While the findings cannot be applied to lower quintile schools, the researchers said they offer valuable insight into how cyberbullying plays out in schools where pupils have easy access to smartphones and social media.

“We found that nearly two-thirds (63.9%) of the teenagers surveyed had been involved in cyberbullying,” said the researchers.

“This included 19.9% who had been victims only, 6.7% who had bullied others online only, and 37.3% who had both experienced and perpetrated cyberbullying. Girls (65.1%) and boys (62.6%) reported similar rates of involvement.”

Younger pupils appeared to be at greater risk. About three-quarters of grade 8 pupils reported being involved in some form of cyberbullying, compared with about half of grade 12 pupils

The study found that the most common form of cyberbullying involved sharing someone’s secrets without their permission, insulting them, or sending embarrassing or hurtful messages. Less common were more calculated acts, such as impersonating someone online or setting up a website to humiliate them.

“Girls reported being insulted and having rumours spread about them, while boys were more likely to report threatening others online and sharing inappropriate photos and/or videos of others without their permission,” said the researchers.

This suggests that teenagers are more likely to lash out impulsively online than to plan sustained campaigns against their peers.

According to the study, most cyberbullying happens on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat:

Younger pupils appeared to be at greater risk. About three-quarters of grade 8 pupils reported being involved in some form of cyberbullying, compared with about half of grade 12 pupils.

The researchers said grade 8 pupils may still be adjusting to high school and could be more vulnerable as they navigate new social groups and their use of social media. They suggested some younger teenagers may also see cyberbullying as a way to gain acceptance or improve their standing among peers.

The study found that cyberbullying was also linked to teenagers’ well-being and academic performance. Those who experienced direct cyberbullying reported lower levels of happiness and perseverance and tended to perform less well at school.