Page 212 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

3. Objectives of the Study

Exploring the research questions defined above, the present study aims to
evaluate the virtual environment as a place where the desire to dominate and

humiliate the public is born, later leading to violence and aggression. Thus,
the research objectives are: (1) To examine the impact of cyberbullying on

adolescents during their teenage years, (2) To explore the underlying factors
leading to aggressive behaviour in virtual environments, and (3) To

investigate coping mechanisms used by individuals following to

experiencing cyberbullying.

Different forms of virtual harassment and their effects on humanity,

especially on the adolescent are identified. In the last decade, social media
has become a ubiquitous mode of communication (Briciu, Mircea, Briciu,

2020) for all young people, and it is important to take a closer look at their
vulnerability (Patton, Eschmann, & Butler, 2013). The age of adolescence,

news viewing, video gaming, and social media use can negatively impact
children. They can become desensitised to violence, which is the most

serious outcome, and if a new generation grows up with the idea that

violence is something positive and accepted in society, it will tend to
continue to practice violence.

153