Language of Cyberbullying: Implications for Mental Health on Pakistani University Female Students: Reasons and Preventions

Abstract

The present study explores the languageof Cyberbullying (henceforth CB), its consequences, reasons and preventions from the perspectives of femaleuniversity students.A questionnaire was administered among 378 femaleuniversity students to look for: (a) commonly emerging linguistic patterns which were exploited by aggressors to victimize the participants, (b) the mental health outcomes of CB attacks (c) the reasons which made the participants vulnerable to CB, and (d) the prevention measures based on the experiences of the participants. The data unveiled that the aggressor used socially and culturally disapproved linguistic expressions and semiotic resources (e.g., images, graphic illustrations and videos) to victimize the participants. The participants admitted that because of the social norms and a fear of family restrictions in attending university, they failed to share CB experiences with their parents, guardians andpeers. Eventually, they accumulated depression, which culminated into problems in eating and sleeping, poor academic performance and trust deficits. The data further revealed that the participants were victimized for moral disengagement of the aggressors.Moreover, reporting the concerned authority, blocking aggressor and seeking help from family and friends proved to be more effective ways for victims to shield against CB assaults. The study demands attention by parents, educational institutes and governments to ensure a safe virtual space for young people.