SEPTEMBER 2023 MPU 3222

ASSIGNMENT

SEMESTER SEPTEMBER 2023

COURSE : Social Work Skill

COURSE CODE : MPU 3222

LEVEL : Degree

GROUP :5
LECTURER : WAN NAZIRAH WAN MD ADNAN

STUDENT NAME : HAMIZAN (4231002051)

ABDUL MUTALIB (4231002661)
TIVENTHAN (4231003172D)
ISMAIL ARIFFIN (4231002761D)
TULASINATHAN (4231003182D)
SYAFIQ AQIL (4223007221)

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Assignments:

In what ways does cyberbullying impact the mental health and well-being of Malaysian
teenagers, and what measures are being taken to address this issue?

Context Of Pages

• Brief iIntroduction Of Cyberbullying

• Research based on the topic.
• Effects On Physical Health
• Discuss Prevention And Measures Taken
• Overcoming Cyberbullying.

Conclusion

• Restate the summary statement of cyberbullying.

• Provide some recommendations for future research and action.

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Introduction Of Cyberbullying

Social media engagement has contributed to the rise of cyberbullying, which has recently
triggered tragic suicides among adolescents. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to
determine the prevalence of cyberbullying, suicidal behaviour, and their association among
adolescents in Peninsular Malaysia. The study was conducted among 1290 secondary school
adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years old in Peninsular Malaysia using a self-administered
and anonymous online questionnaire.

Our findings reveal that the prevalence of cyberbullying victimization and perpetrator
is 13.7% and 3.8%, respectively. The prevalence of suicidal behaviour among adolescents is
17.1%, in which 11.9% had suicidal thoughts, 10.2% had a suicide plan, and 8.4% had made a
suicide attempt. Multiple logistic regression shows that adolescents experiencing cyberbullying
victimization is a significant risk factor (p < 0.001) for suicidal behaviour after adjusting for
other confounders. An alarming number of adolescents in Peninsular Malaysia found to be
involved in cyberbullying and its significant association with suicidal behaviour warrant the
need to strengthen current interventions. Since the study was conducted during the COVID-19
pandemic, our findings make an important contribution in reporting current trends in
cyberbullying and suicide among adolescents, especially when they are becoming ever-more
present in cyberspaces.

With very limited school and education policies against cyberbullying in Malaysia,
teenagers in Malaysia are also found to not have a good support system against cyberbullying
compared to other countries. The cyberbully report by the Cyber999 Help Center in 2017 also
showed that more bullying cases involved older youth victims than children and teenagers. This
is no longer surprising because public figures such as celebrities and social activists may be
victims of public criticism. The use of fake accounts and a sense of togetherness with other
bullies who also spread aggressive and threatening comments in the virtual world also make it
difficult to stop cyberbullies.
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Emotional Anxiety

Teenagers in Malaysia may experience serious emotional anguish as a result of cyberbullying.

When targeted, people frequently go through a spectrum of unfavorable feelings like
melancholy, anxiety, and depression. Online threats, abuse, or hurtful remarks can keep
someone's emotions in a perpetual state of upheaval. The anonymity provided by the internet
can compound these emotions because victims may not know who is torturing them, which can
leave them feeling helpless and afraid. Their general well-being may be impacted by this
emotional turmoil, making it difficult for them to focus on everyday tasks and maintain a
positive social life.

Low Confidence

Teenagers in Malaysia may experience considerable self-esteem damage as a result of

cyberbullying. Their sense of self-worth and confidence may be damaged by the nasty and
degrading remarks they encounter online. Cyberbullying can make it increasingly harder for
teenagers to create a positive self-image during adolescence, a vulnerable time for self-esteem
development. Recurringly unfavorable online encounters can cause people to doubt
themselves, criticize themselves, and feel less valuable, which can have an impact on their
mental health and interpersonal connections.

Academic Repercussions

Anxiety and worry brought on by cyberbullying might affect a teen's academic performance.
They might have trouble focusing on their academics, which might affect their academic
achievement. Students may find it difficult to concentrate on their work in a hostile learning
environment caused by a constant worry about coming across cyberbullying online. Poor
academic results may worsen their emotional pain and have a negative influence on their mental
health as a result, creating a vicious cycle.

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Effects On Physical Health

Teenagers in Malaysia who are exposed to cyberbullying for an extended period of time may
suffer physical health effects. Physical signs of stress and worry from cyberbullying can include
persistent headaches, stomachaches, and even sleep difficulties. As individuals struggle to
manage the emotional and physical toll of cyberbullying, these physical symptoms may worsen
the overall detrimental effect on their wellbeing.

Community Isolation

Teenagers in Malaysia who encounter cyberbullying frequently become socially isolated. As a

coping tactic, victims could cut themselves off from relationships and social interactions. They
might be afraid of confronting their abusers in person or concerned about being singled out
again, which would worsen their social isolation. Their mental health may be further impacted
by this isolation, which can exacerbate their loneliness and hopelessness. Additionally, it may
obstruct their ability to build healthy peer interactions and social skills.

Causes Of Cyberbullying

Anonymity

People who engage in cyberbullying may feel more free to do so because of the relative
anonymity that the internet offers. Some individuals could think they can act without
repercussions because they think they won't be identified or held responsible for their online
behavior.

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Lack of Empathy

Interactions on the internet occasionally cause people to lack empathy. People may forget that
there is a real person on the other end of a conversation when they speak through screens rather
than face-to-face, which makes it simpler to engage in unpleasant behavior.

Revenge

A desire for vengeance or payback may be the driving force for cyberbullying. The perpetrator
may assume that by using internet channels to attack the person they feel has wronged them,
they are retaliating for some perceived injustice or wrong.

Peer pressure

Sometimes, people who engage in cyberbullying do so to assimilate into a certain social group
or peer circle. People may engage in detrimental behavior under the influence of their peers in
an effort to win their approval or obtain their acceptance. Cyberbullying can result from
resentment, competition, or rivalry. For instance, someone can try to harm the success or
happiness of a peer who they see as a rival in sports, academics, or interpersonal relationships.
Cyberbullying can result from resentment, competition, or rivalry. For instance, someone can
try to harm the success or happiness of a peer who they see as a rival in sports, academics, or
interpersonal relationships.

Personal Issues

Perpetrators of cyberbullying may have personal issues, such as anger, frustration, or low
selfesteem, that lead them to take out their negative emotions on others online. Cyberbullying
can serve as an outlet for these emotions.

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Prejudice And Discrimination

Discrimination and prejudice based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, or religion can lead to targeted online harassment. Perpetrators may use
cyberbullying as a means to express their biases and prejudices.

Inadequate Supervision:

In cases involving minors, inadequate supervision by parents or caregivers can contribute to

cyberbullying. When children and teenagers have unrestricted access to the internet and social
media, they may engage in harmful behavior without proper guidance. It's important to note
that the causes of cyberbullying are complex, and not all individuals who engage in
cyberbullying share the same motivations or backgrounds. Combating cyberbullying requires
a multifaceted approach that includes education, awareness, prevention, and intervention
strategies to address both the underlying causes and the harmful behavior itself.

Prevention And Measures Taken

Legal Framework

Malaysia has passed legislation to deal with internet abuse and cyberbullying. Cyberbullying
is covered by the Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998 and the Penal Code. Legal
repercussions for offenders may include fines and incarceration.

Support For Mental Health

Numerous healthcare organizations and schools offer mental health services, such as
counseling and therapy. These programs give youngsters the tools they need to become resilient
while coping with the emotional effects of cyberbullying.

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Parental Participation

Parents are urged to take a direct interest in their kids' online activity. Teenagers should be
taught about safe internet use and the risks of cyberbullying by their parents. For cyberbullying
to be addressed and prevented, open dialogue between parents and teenagers is essential.
Online etiquette, responsible conduct, and online safety are all taught to teenagers through
programs that aim to improve their digital literacy. These programs provide youngsters the tools
they need to identify harmful online behaviors and take appropriate action to defend themselves
from cyberbullying. Participation of the community and online platforms: Online platforms
and social media firms are urged to implement reporting and moderation tools to combat
cyberbullying. Users can report abusive activity thanks to reporting standards and features. The
frequency and effects of cyberbullying in Malaysia are better understood via ongoing research
and data collection activities. Policy choices and the creation of focused initiatives are informed
by this knowledge.

Overcoming Cyberbullying.

Don't Respond

Refrain from responding to or interacting with the online bully. Sometimes, responding can
make the issue worse. Avoid giving the person the satisfaction of a reaction and instead block
or silence them.

Document Proof

Keep track of every instance of cyberbullying, including screenshots of the messages or posts,
dates, timings, and any pertinent information. If you decide to report cyberbullying, this proof
might be helpful.

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Report To Authorities

Think about notifying the appropriate authorities if the cyberbullying is severe or involves
threats, harassment, or hate speech. Cyberbullying and online harassment are addressed by laws
in Malaysia. If necessary, call the police or get legal counsel.\

Consult A Counselor

Think about speaking with a school counselor or a mental health specialist who can offer advice
and help in managing the psychological effects of cyberbullying.

Review And Modify Your Online Privacy Settings

As necessary to safeguard your online identity. Your privacy settings on social media sites and
other internet accounts should be reviewed and modified. The amount of personal information
you make public should be kept to a minimum, and only close friends and contacts should have
access to your profiles. You can lessen the likelihood of cyberbullying occurrences in the future
by exercising control over your online privacy.

Protect Your Online Identity

Review and make any required modifications to your privacy settings. You should evaluate and
adjust your privacy settings on social networking platforms and other online accounts. Only
close friends and acquaintances should have access to your profiles, and you should limit the
amount of personal information you make public. By taking control over your online privacy,
you can reduce the likelihood of cyberbullying incidents in the future.

Ask For Help From Reliable People:

Don't be afraid to confide in friends, family members, or reliable adults about the cyberbullying
you are experiencing. Sharing your story with trusted friends and family members can help you
emotionally and offer direction. They could also assist you in coming up with solutions to the

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problem. Always keep in mind that you don't have to go through this situation alone yourself,
and asking for help from your support network may be really powerful.

Conclusion

The problem of cyber bullying should not be taken lightly by the public because this case is
increasing from time to time and it can have an impact on an individual's life from a physical
and mental perspective. Don't think that the bladder problems that befall us will just disappear.
There are many ways to deal with the bad symptoms that are becoming more pervasive in our
society today. First, if individuals feel that they are being bullied on social media, they need to
talk to an adult or someone they trust more to talk about the problems they are experiencing.
Bullies should ask for help and opinions from people who understand the situation so they can
make wise and unhurried decisions. Indeed, some individuals must feel embarrassed and
uncomfortable to share their problems with their parents, but some things can be done so that
they can understand what is happening. Choose an appropriate time to tell the story and explain
how serious the situation is. Parents may not be able to give the right answer at that time but
they will always help to find solutions and possibly problems. The Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) needs to constantly monitor activities involving cyber
bullying on social media so that this cyber bullying can be dealt with. Parents also need to
monitor the use of the internet by their children so that they do not get involved in cyber
bullying activities. In addition, internet users also need to act quickly to report incidents of
cyber bullying to the SKMM so that these cyber bullies can be brought to justice and strict
action can be taken. Hopefully Malaysians, especially teenagers, avoid this cyber bullying
activity because it can bring harm to the victims of cyber bullying. therefore each individual
has a role to play in stopping the culture of cyber bullying. by not supporting this act from the
beginning, either by reporting to the authorities for further action, taking care of the law and
media literacy, until making a mass report to the administrator of the relevant application.

Regarding the abuse of social media and the bully quoting the words of a famous Malaysian
celebrity, Neelofa "not sure, don't share

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Example Of CyberBull ying

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