Assessing the Risk Factors of Cyberbullying Among Malaysian Undergraduate Students

Cyberbullying, the use of digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or harm individuals, has become a significant concern among young people. The widespread adoption of smartphones, social media, and other digital communication tools has increased the vulnerability of university students to online harassment. Cyberbullying can take various forms, including the dissemination of harmful messages, the spreading of false information, exclusion from online communities, and the sharing of personal or sensitive information without consent. This study examines cyberbullying through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), emphasizing the influence of key risk factors such as personal, sociocultural, psychological, and environmental. Personal factors, such as self-esteem and digital literacy, shape an individual’s susceptibility to online harassment. Sociocultural influences, including peer norms and cultural attitudes toward online interactions, contribute to the perpetuation of cyberbullying. Psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, and impulsivity, may increase both victimization and perpetration risks. Additionally, environmental factors, such as internet accessibility and institutional policies, play a crucial role in regulating online behaviors. Despite that, cyberbullying is shown to be a global phenomenon, with the prevalence of cyberbullying victimization and cyberbullying perpetration year by year. This study seeks to assess the prevalence of cyberbullying among Malaysian undergraduates and analyze the interplay of these risk factors. A quantitative research approach will be employed, utilizing a self-administered survey to collect data from a representative sample of students. The analysis will use Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS 27.0 software. This research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), by contributing to safer educational environments and promoting responsible online behavior. The findings are expected to inform strategies to mitigate digital harassment and support students’ mental and emotional well-being in Malaysia’s higher education institutions.