Cyber harassment engagement and its impact on academic performance impairment: a theory of planned behavior approach

Abstract Cybercrime is one of the most pressing global challenges in the digital era, encompassing offenses conducted through computer networks and online platforms. Among these, cyber harassment refers to the use of electronic communication, such as email, social media, and messaging applications, to intimidate, threaten, or offend others. Its growing prevalence in both developed and developing countries has resulted in serious psychological, social, and academic consequences, particularly among university students. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where digital engagement is exceptionally high, empirical research on the drivers of cyber harassment engagement remains limited. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study investigates the determinants of cyber harassment engagement among undergraduate students. Data were collected from 1862 students across public universities and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS v21. The results demonstrate acceptable model fit. Attitude is negatively associated with cyber harassment engagement, whereas subjective norm and perceived behavioral control show significant positive associations. Technology awareness, social media influence, and cybersecurity knowledge significantly influence the TPB constructs. Multi-group analysis shows that gender significantly moderates only the relationship between subjective norm and cyber harassment engagement; gender does not significantly moderate the perceived behavioral control-cyber harassment engagement or attitude-cyber harassment engagement relationships. Marital status and geographical region show no significant moderating effects. The findings extend TPB in the context of cyber harassment engagement and offer theoretical and practical implications for policymakers and educational institutions seeking to reduce cyber harassment and its adverse academic consequences. Unlike many previous studies that focus primarily on victims of cyber harassment, the present study examines the behavioral determinants of cyber harassment engagement among university students and investigates its association with academic performance impairment.