The Dynamics of Digital Violence Among University Students: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Ways to Protect Against It
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18054391Keywords:
Cyberbullying, Digital violence, Social media, University studentsAbstract
Digital violence is defined as a type of violence perpetrated using technological tools on online, internet-based platforms. Family-related factors including lack of love, parental irresponsibility, failure to support autonomy, constant punishment, ineffective communication, and insufficient support can lead children to become technologically dependent and subsequently emerge as digital bullies or victims. Digital violence, also referred to as cyber violence, involves individuals who perpetrate such acts (cyber bullies) and those exposed to them (cyber victims). For a situation to be considered cyber violence, it must involve harmful or potentially harmful behaviors such as threats, persistent stalking, sexually explicit messages, invasion of privacy, unauthorized acquisition of personal information, blackmail, abuse, identity fraud, and disclosure of private photos and videos.The increasing rates of social media usage among university students highlight technological dependency and partner control as prominent risk factors. The presence of serious psychological trauma in bullies who perpetrate digital violence and the occurrence of significant psychological disorders in students exposed to digital violence reveal that psychological factors represent the most critical risk dimension for digital violence. This study aims to examine, based on the literature, the risk situations created by digital violence among university students, the psychological, physical, and social effects of bullying experienced by victims, the various types of bullying, and the legal criteria for considering such acts as crimes.References
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