Defense Mechanism of Students Experiencing Cyberbullying: A Qualitative Analysis on Students’ Internet Interaction

Every child should be protected from any form of emotional abuse like bullying. At present, as the digital technology arises, internet had been vast in terms of availability providing limitless opportunities to communicate to other users such posting and commenting different forms of expressions that may lead to
offensive forms. Reflecting from the current scene in the cyber-world, this study targeted to identify the effects of cyberbullying to an individual and the mechanisms of the victims to overcome the experience. The investigation utilized phenomenological approach concentrating on the employment of thematic analysis through coding to generate the themes based on the experiences of the participants. The researcher purposively chose and semi-structurally interviewed nine (9) students who experienced cyberbullying reflected to the literature-based criteria. Researchers observed triangulation in the conduct of coding and generating themes, then merged the results to finalize the emerging themes based on the target objectives. Research findings emerged into three themes signifying that cyberbullying affects the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of an individual. In terms of defense mechanism or the activity of safeguarding themselves from bullies, students are able to cope and adjust through engaging their own self to school activities, social activities, and personal
development activities. The study recommends different schools to conduct different programs on inclusivity and gender and equality increasing social awareness and responsibility on the use of social media and other social platforms. Furthermore, the department on social welfare and development (DSWD) in partnership with Population Commission (PopCom) to generate national and local policies to mandate social media to automatically filter content and block expressions promoting bullying.

Keywords –Cyberbullying, Bullying, Phenomenology, Qualitative Research