Most cyber-bullying occurs on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat: study

Researchers at Stellenbosch University stress the urgent need to develop strategies to counteract the detrimental effects of cyber-bullying on teenagers. Professor Daniel le Roux and Camryn Twaddle from Artefact South Africa discovered that cyber-bullying significantly impacts teenagers' emotional well-being, including their academic performance.

The researchers delved into the prevalence and patterns of cyber-bullying behavior among teenagers in South Africa, examining variations across demographics and social media usage. Twaddle revealed that TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat were the primary platforms where teenagers reported experiencing various forms of cyberbullying, including threats, insults, rumors, hurtful messages, shared secrets, and inappropriate photos or videos.

Twaddle emphasizes the interconnectedness of online experiences, emotions, and academic achievements, asserting that they must be understood together to devise effective prevention and support strategies targeting cyberbullying among teenagers in South Africa.