The Relationship Between Social Media Use And Bullying Behavior Among Adolescents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Adolescents are a highly vulnerable group when interacting in the digital world. During this period, they are searching for their identity and are frequently exposed to various external influences, including social media. One of the negative impacts of unwise social media use is the emergence of bullying behavior, which can manifest in various forms such as aggression, insults, harassment, hate speech, threats, and other inhumane acts. These various forms of verbal and nonverbal violence can have serious psychological effects on adolescents. This study aims to describe and analyze the relationship between social media use and bullying behavior among adolescent students at SMPN 12 Padang. The study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, and involved 73 respondents aged 13–15 who were active social media users. The sample was selected using a random sampling technique, while data were collected through questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test to determine the relationship between variables. The results showed a significant relationship between the level of social media use and the tendency for bullying to occur in the school environment. These findings confirm that uncontrolled digital activity can increase the risk of conflict and violence among adolescents. Therefore, schools are expected to strengthen supervision and provide education on healthy, ethical, and responsible social media use, thereby minimizing the negative impact of bullying on adolescent development.

Keywords: Adolescents, social media, bullying