THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CYBERBULLYING ON STUDENTS’ MENTAL

HEALTH AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

A Research Paper Presented to

MRS. CAMILLE P. GONZALES

Grade 10 English Teacher

Tagaytay City Science National High School

Integrated Senior High School

Sungay West, Tagaytay

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in

GRADE 10 ENGLISH

by

Chelsie Marion B. Delos Santos

Ma. Ella Louise M, De Ramos

Keira V Miralles

Princess Angel D. Villamor

JULY 2023
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Discussion / Interpretation of Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Appendix A. Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Appendix B. Photo Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Appendix C. Curriculum Vitae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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Abstract

The focus of this study was to investigate the adverse effects of cyberbullying on

students’ mental health and academic performance. The researchers conducted a survey on

students on how cyberbullying affects their mental health and academic performance. The results

demonstrate that cyberbullying adversely affects a students’ mental health to the extent that it

also negatively impacts their academic performance. The analysis finds that it is important to

prevent cyberbullying because of the harm it poses to students. It is recommended that students

should limit their use of social media because this is where cyberbullying is most likely to occur.
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Introduction

Not only do people grow and develop during these years, but they also start to take more

risks. Because they are still developing their cognitive abilities, children and teenagers are

especially susceptible at these times. Children and adolescents frequently do worse than adults

when asked to retain self-discipline to obtain good results in novel situations due to peer

influences and the heat of passion. In the year 2022 about 75% of internet users are children and

adolescents under the age of 24. Digital technology provides a new form of communication,

however there are numerous news reports that show another side of the internet age.

The negative aspect of young people using the internet is that they could bully others

online or be bullied themselves. This conduct is also recognized as cyberbullying. The downside

of youth utilizing the internet is that they run the risk of bullying others or being bullied

themselves, this behavior is seen as cyberbullying as well. Cyberbullying has a harmful impact

on a variety of facets of young people's lives, including invasion of privacy and psychological

problems. Due to perpetrators' ability to act anonymously and quickly interact with children and

teenagers at any time, the impact of cyberbullying may be harsher than that of traditional

bullying.
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Methods

This study was conducted with the use of a survey, researchers have gathered 30

responses that were distributed to the students. The survey used a dichotomous scale to evaluate

the experience of every student about the issue. No individual data was gathered; The survey was

optional and anonymous.

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Results

The respondents of the students are listed below Table 1 and will be categorized. From

the data below it can be seen that cyberbullying has an effect on students' mental health and

academic performance.

Table 1: Effects of cyberbullying on students’ mental health and academic performance

Yes No

Have you or either someone you know been a victim of cyberbullying? 21 9

Have you ever bullied someone? 10 20

Do you believe that cyberbullying could contribute to students’ performance 30 0

in school?

Do you think such issues should be discussed more often for students’ 28 2
awareness?

Does cyberbullying affect you in a negative way? 25 5

Have you ever felt uneasy around people who dislike and do bad things to 17 13
you?

Have you ever received threats online that left you afraid to inform the 14 16
administration and staff at your school?
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Has something like cyberbullying ever prevented you from accomplishing a 16 14

task at school?

Does cyberbullying have any effects on students’ social life? 22 8

Have you ever felt unsafe whenever you went outside because of the threat 13 17

your bullies posed to you?

The survey identified the circumstances where there are negative effects caused by

cyberbullying towards students and it also assessed the impact of cyberbullying on students in a

closed ended questionnaire. The results show that cyberbullying does have a negative effect on a

student’s mental health to the point it affects their academic performance too.
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Discussion/Interpretation of Results

As shown in the table above, it can be seen that there are adverse effects of cyberbullying

towards students, and all of the participants believe that cyberbullying can affect the performance

of students in school. 25 out of the 30 participants voted yes to the question of whether

cyberbullying affected them in a negative way, while 5 participants voted no. While almost half

of the respondents said that they have received threats online, which shows that most of them felt

unsafe because of these threats, 22 out of the 30 participants also agreed that cyberbullying can

affect the students' social lives.

28 out of 30 respondents also think and feel that this kind of issue is relevant and should

be discussed more often to raise awareness among students and the general public about the

negative effects of cyberbullying on the mental health and well-being of people.

The results of the study are consistent all throughout the survey, and many respondents

felt that cyberbullying adversely affects not only the mental health of people or students but also

their academic performance.

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Conclusion

The adverse effects of cyberbullying on students’ mental health and academic

performance were identified through this investigation. It has been determined that cyberbullying

causes great harm to students' mental well-being and learning success. The majority of those

students who are going through or have gone through such scenarios lead unstable lives, fretting

and fearing for their safety because of their bullies. It’s even having a negative impact on their

academic achievement in school.

Recommendations

It is recommended that students set limits on their usage of social media, as this is where

incidents like cyberbullying are most likely to happen. Parents and instructors are advised to

discipline and teach the students regarding appropriate media usage. Being mindful with

language usage and treating everyone with respect helps improve student relationships and

communication, as well as prevent anyone from becoming a victim or a perpetrator of

cyberbullying.
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Bibliography

Ani Petrosyan, and Feb 23. “Internet Usage Worldwide by Age and Region 2022.” Statista,
February 23, 2023.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/209101/age-distribution-internet-users-worldwide-by-region/?
fbclid=IwAR0dSqR18PhEWnkrvdeJ0N_Zy5KDtdfq-Uulawwx84b-BQEPjGQZDYRLazw.
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Appendix A

Questionnaire

Name:

Grade & Section:

Age:

Questions:

1. Have you or either someone you know been a victim of cyberbullying?

Yes

No

2. Have you ever bullied someone?

Yes

No

3. Do you believe that cyberbullying could contribute to students’ performance in school?

Yes

No

4. Do you think such issues should be discussed more often for students’ awareness?

Yes

No

5. Does cyberbullying affect you in a negative way?

Yes
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No

6. Have you ever felt uneasy around people who dislike and do bad things to you?

Yes

No

7. Have you ever received threats online that left you afraid to inform the administration and

staff at your school?

Yes

No

8. Has something like cyberbullying ever prevented you from accomplishing a task at

school?

Yes

No

9. Does cyberbullying have any effects on students’ social life?

Yes

No

10. Have you ever felt unsafe whenever you go outside because of the threat your bullies

pose to you?

Yes

No
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Appendix B

Photo Documentation
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Appendix C

Personal Information of the Researchers

Name of Researcher: Chelsie Marion B. Delos Santos

Position: Student

Birthday: October 24, 2006

Age: 16

Name of Mother: Maria Lirio B. Delos Santos

Birthday: March 1, 1979

Occupation: Business Women

Name of Father: Carlo B. Delos Santos

Birthday: March 28, 1980

Occupation: Business Man

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Personal Information of the Researchers

Name of Researcher: Rhian Rose Mendoza

Position: Student

Birthday: April 10, 2007

Age: 16

Name of Mother: Rachelle Mendoza

Birthday: May 31, 1988

Occupation: Cashier

Name of Father: Richmond Mendoza

Birthday: January 11, 1988

Occupation: Cook
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Personal Information of the Researchers

Name of Researcher: Ma. Ella Louise M. De Ramos

Position: Student

Birthday: February 5, 2008

Age: 15

Name of Mother: Ma. Lourdes M. De Ramos

Birthday: August 18, 1968

Occupation: Store Manager/Cashier

Name of Father: Rafael B. De Ramos

Birthday: July 11, 1970

Occupation: N/A
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Personal Information of the Researchers

Name of Researcher: Keira V. Miralles

Position: Student

Birthday: January 04, 2007

Age: 16

Name of Mother: Olympia V. Miralles

Birthday: June 14, 1975

Occupation: Employee

Name of Father: Feliciano C. Miralles Jr.

Birthday: September 29, 1977

Occupation: Deceased
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Personal Information of the Researchers

Name of Researcher: Princess Angel D. Villamor

Position: Student

Birthday: February 19, 2007

Age: 16

Name of Mother: Maria Luisa D. Villamor

Birthday: October 10, 1984

Occupation: Housekeeping

Name of Father: Rufino S. Villamor

Birthday: October 10, 1977

Occupation: Tricycle Driver