Authors: Al-Badayneh DM*
This research is an attempt to narrow the gap in cyberbullying measurement, and the purpose of this study is to develop a cyberbullying scale applicable to youth in Jordan that can be extended to Arab States. We can apply and test this scale, which offers insights for formulating policies and understanding the implications for law and security. The scale can identify conceptual constructs of cyberbullying, aid policy formation, and provide legal and security implications for youth prevention. We developed the scale in three stages: generation, refinement, and validation. We utilized a literature review and nomological network to illustrate the dimensions of the scale, their correlations, and other pertinent variables (like LSE). A sample of 1000 Tafila Technical University students found that 45.4% were males and 54.6% were females from 12 Jordanian governorates. Science colleges and arts and social colleges split the sample almost equally (49.6% vs. 50.4%), respectively. All students are using the internet, and most of them use it intensively (73%), compared to regular use (27%). About 26% of students experienced bullying, 27% knew about cyberbullying victims, and 24% knew about its perpetrators. The scale's 37 items spread across three factors, collectively accounting for 76.6% of the variance in youth cyberbullying, according to the findings. The first factor, labeled "self and bystander cyberbullying perpetration" (25 items), accounted for 67.5% of the variance; the second factor (9 items), "self and bystander cyberbullying victimization," was responsible for 4.7%; and the third factor (5 items), "vicarious and group perpetration and victimization cyberbullying," contributed 4.4% of the variance. Findings showed significant differences between males and females in cyberbullying (F = 4.726, α ≤0.000), with males having a higher mean of cyberbullying than females (mean = 35.9 vs. 32.7), with a variation of 1.6 vs. 1.4. Future research is required to test the scale across various educational levels and workplace settings, including teachers, police officers, and parents. Also, there is a need to test the scale on different age groups, settings, and cultures. There is a need for an atheoretical and empirical framework for understanding and preventing youth cyberbullying while promoting a more cohesive and resilient youth society.
Keywords: Scale; Youth; Cyberbullying; Jordan; Bullying; Gender
