Page 213 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

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

4. Scope and Significance of the Study

The reason for choosing this research topic is its significance which stems
from the fact that the most vulnerable age group is those under 18, and

minors tend to trust even people with whom they are just coming into
contact online. This category is the most easily influenced; thus, the effects

of cyberbullying can have negative consequences on young users. Young
people who are victims of virtual bullying are more prone to naivety,

emotional distress, low self-esteem, depression, social isolation, anxiety,

decreased life satisfaction, as well as poor academic performance, school
absenteeism and suicidal ideation (Larrañaga, Yubero, & Navarro, 2018).

Ultimately, this research will help us find out how victims are affected
during adolescence, why people resort to online violence, and how they

manage their emotions and thoughts.

5. Review of the Literature

Virtual bullying is a phenomenon (Pordeus, Mesquita & Pordeus, 2022) of

which the social seriousness goes far beyond the drama it evokes and the
numerous cases that the media bring to the public's attention daily. People's

violent behaviour can be traced back to the widespread regression of respect

for one another coupled with the almost total absence of emotional
education in the family and/or at school, with no recognition and

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