Page 217 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

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

In terms of the most vulnerable ages at which individuals can be

cyberbullied, 62.6% (n=152) of respondents have considered the most
vulnerable age group to be between 14 and 18; 27.6% (n=67) selected the

age group under 14; 4.5% (n=11) chose the age group 19-24; 3.3% (n=8)

considered the age group 25-35, and only 2.10% (n=1) chose the age group
over 36.

The percentage of respondents on their answers for the consequences of

cyberbullying are as follows. 55.6% (n=135) selected Sudden behaviour

change; 75.7% (n=184) chose Decreased self-confidence; 46.9% (n=114)
responded Suicide; 58% (n=141) responded Social distancing; 74.9%

(n=182) selected Negative self-perception; 3.3% (n=8) said I don't know/I
don't answer, and (n=1) responded Other.

The effects can also be compounded by the changes that adolescence brings.

If early changes in teenagers' behaviour are not reported at that time, they

can worsen into health and life-threatening effects. When they do not feel
understood, especially by their parents, teenagers tend not to communicate

about their problems, believing that they will be punished for what is

happening to them. The peak of stress occurs when young people are asked
for material goods, money, or favours to keep themselves and their families

safe. They would stop communicating as much as they used to, distance
themselves from family and friends, lose confidence in themselves and the

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