Cyberbullying among Teenagers: The Contribution of Social Media in Increasing Bullying Cases in UINSU Laboratory Madrasah Aliyah

Abstract

This study aims to identify and analyze the contribution of social media to the increase in cyberbullying cases among students at Madrasah Aliyah Laboratory UINSU. Cyberbullying has become an increasingly concerning issue in the digital era, particularly within educational environments. This research explores how social media, as a platform for adolescent interaction, facilitates online bullying and its impact on students' psychological well-being, social relationships, and academic performance.The research employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Data collection was conducted through questionnaires distributed to students to obtain quantitative data regarding the frequency and types of cyberbullying they experienced or witnessed on social media. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with teachers, counselors, and several victims of cyberbullying to gather qualitative data on the psychological and social impacts of such incidents. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis for the quantitative data and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. The analysis sought to identify patterns of cyberbullying, the social media platforms most commonly used as tools for bullying, and the effects experienced by the victims.Preliminary findings indicate that social media platforms such as Instagram and WhatsAppare the primary tools for cyberbullying among students at Madrasah Aliyah Laboratory UINSU. The most frequently reported forms of cyberbullying include hate comments, rumor spreading, and physical shaming (body-shaming). Moreover, victims of cyberbullying tend to experience a decrease in self-confidence, declining academic performance, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. School intervention and digital literacy among students are identified as crucial factors that need to be improved to reduce the incidence of cyberbullying in this school.