Cyberbullying and Social Participation among University Students: A Field Study on Social Work Students at the Faculty of Education

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the phenomenon of cyberbullying and its impact on social participation among students in the Social Work Department at the Faculty of Education, Qasr Bin Ghashir, University of Tripoli. The research problem stems from the rapid development of communication technologies, which, despite their benefits, have introduced behavioral challenges such as cyberbullying. This behavior, characterized by repeated aggression through digital media, directly affects students' psychological and social well-being, potentially leading to social isolation and reduced engagement in university activities. The study adopted a descriptive-correlational methodology to describe the prevalence of cyberbullying and analyze the relationship between this phenomenon and levels of social participation. The research was conducted on a purposive sample of 116 male and female students, representing 79.4% of the total student population in the Social Work Department during the Fall semester of 2025. Data were collected using a specialized questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic data, forms of cyberbullying, and its reflection on social participation. Statistical validity and reliability were confirmed using Pearson correlation and Cronbach's Alpha. Results indicated that the overall level of cyberbullying among the students is low, with a general mean of 1.45. The most common form of cyberbullying identified was "exclusion from electronic groups," which recorded a medium response level. The findings also highlighted that social participation is affected by these digital interactions, emphasizing the need for professional social work interventions. The study recommends developing awareness programs and social counseling to mitigate the effects of cyberbullying and foster a supportive, safe university environment that encourages positive social interaction among students.