Understanding cyberbullying dynamics: risk factors and behavioral responses among nursing college students

Abstract

Background: Cyberbullying represents an important concern in the modern digital scenario, which includes harassment through electronic agents, which affects the recurrent aggression and humiliation of the selected individuals. Its widespread phenomenon among young adults, especially people who are registered with institutions for higher education, emphasizes the imperative for the intensive understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Aim: The study aimed to assess the understanding of cyberbullying dynamics and risk factors and examine behavioral reactions between nursing students in Egypt. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional design was done. A cluster of 400 Egyptian nursing students from the Faculty of Nursing at Tanta University was involved in the random trial study. Data was collected from mid-February 2025 to mid-April 2025. Tools: Three tools, such as the cyberbullying dynamics and risk factor knowledge questionnaire, the cyber-aggression scale, and the cyberbullying attitude scale. Result: The study found that there was a highly statistically significant relation (P < 0.05) between cyber-aggression behavior and all items of students’ characteristics except age of studied students’ while there is a statistically significant relation (P < 0.05) between cyberbullying knowledge and age of studied students’ only. The findings suggested that cyberbullying dynamics and risk factors (χ² = 27,506, p < 0.001) and cyber activity behavior, as well as cyberbullying approaches and trust and cyber-aggression behavior (χ² = 91,460, p < 0.001), were learned. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant relationship between nursing students and cyberbullying, their approach, and participation in cyber-invasive behavior. Conclusions emphasize the need for targeted educational intervention and training programs to increase knowledge, promote a negative attitude towards online bullying, and equip future nurses with skills to effectively address the problem. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.