Digital Platform Use, Gender, and Age Differences in Cyberbullying Experiences Among Adolescents in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital communication technologies has increased adolescents’ exposure to cyberbullying, thereby raising concerns about its psychological and social consequences. This study examined digital platform use, gender, and age differences in cyberbullying experiences among adolescents in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised adolescents in Ondo State, with a sample of 375 respondents selected through online survey sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Cyberbullying Questionnaire”. The instrument was validated through content validity, while reliability was established using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a coefficient of 0.76 and 0.82 for the two subsclaes of the instrument. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that cyberbullying was prevalent among adolescents in Ondo State. WhatsApp was the most used digital platform for cyberbullying. There was no significant difference in the cyberbullying experiences of the adolescents by gender (t(373) = -1.05, p > 0.05) and by age (F(4, 370) = 0.554, p > 0.05). The study concluded that cyberbullying is prevalent among adolescents in Ondo State, and the experiences of both genders and different age groups are the same. It recommended increased gender-inclusive digital literacy programmes, school-based counselling interventions, and stricter policies by digital platform providers to reduce cyberbullying.