Utilizing Digital Solutions And Social Support To Reduce Anxiety In Cyberbullying Survivors

Abstract

Cyberbullying has emerged as a significant global public health concern, with approximately 37% of adolescents and young adults reporting experiences of victimization. The psychological consequences of cyberbullying are well-documented, as victims frequently exhibit symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and are two to five times more likely to experience clinical anxiety than non-victims. Although awareness of post-trauma recovery is increasing, research on survivors’ long-term coping and healing processes remains limited, and traditional therapeutic interventions often fail to address their sustained psychological needs. This study employs a digital ethnographic approach combined with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how survivors of cyberbullying utilize digital platforms for psychological recovery. Data were collected from in-depth online engagements with 20 survivors. The findings reveal a pattern of ambivalent re-engagement, wherein survivors re-enter digital spaces seeking social support while simultaneously confronting emotional risks. Participants reported using blocking tools and anonymity features as coping mechanisms, although algorithmic triggers sometimes reactivated distress. Transparency and the presence of human moderation emerged as critical elements in fostering trust toward digital mental health tools, whereas participants expressed scepticism regarding AI-driven interventions. The study underscores the need for trauma-informed digital design and survivor-centered policies in digital mental health interventions. By foregrounding survivors’ lived experiences, this research contributes to the growing scholarship in media psychology and digital health, advocating for ethical, equitable, and participatory approaches to the design of online recovery tools. Future work will focus on developing participatory design frameworks that align digital platforms with the psychological and emotional needs of cyberbullying survivors.