Digital transformation and cyberbullying in education: an evaluation on children in Kyrgyzstan

This quantitative study investigates the prevalence and patterns of cyberbullying victimization among Kyrgyz school-age children, exploring socio-cultural factors, digital literacy, and parental supervision as potential risk variables. Given the increasing digital access among Kyrgyz youth, examining cyberbullying experiences and related risks is essential. Data were collected from 664 students aged 13–18 using survey methods. Findings revealed significant cyberbullying exposure, identifying critical risk factors. Socio-demographic analysis indicated that students with lower digital literacy were more susceptible to cyberbullying, and parental supervision significantly influenced victimization rates.Additionally, males and females differed in cyberbullying behaviours, reflecting socio-cultural variations. Notably, lower digital literacy correlated with higher victimization risk. These results highlight the need for strengthened digital literacy training, targeted prevention strategies, and greater parental engagement in digital safety education.