Educational Programs on Cyberbullying and Online Ethics: Gap Analysis

Abstract

Cyberbullying has been a persistent issue since the inception of the digital age, as individuals have often exploited technology to serve their interests. This prevalence of cyberbullying has resulted in critical knowledge gaps and a widespread lack of awareness regarding the profound repercussions of these harmful actions. It is imperative to establish robust guidance on technological ethics right from the outset, through the development of comprehensive educational programs. The primary objective of this research is to undertake an exhaustive and in-depth literature review focused on existing educational programs and ethical frameworks that have been implemented to address cyberbullying. The aim is to identify effective educational interventions that can be applied to tertiary students in Malaysia. This research endeavors to gain a profound understanding by exploring the deficiencies in knowledge of cyberbullying and online ethics that contribute to the prevalence of cyberbullying within online spaces. The insights gathered will be instrumental in developing educational programs aimed at enhancing awareness, fostering empathy, and equipping students with the skills to respond appropriately to cyberbullying incidents they may encounter in the future. The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology used in this research is the Arksey and O'Malley Framework for Scoping Reviews, whereby existing material will aid in a better understanding of the current programs to develop enhanced ones. The identified gaps highlighted in this research are the need for a more profound understanding of cyberbullying, guidance on appropriate responses across different roles (bully, victim, bystander), and comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws and existing campaigns.  These gaps are valuable for the application of future educational programs on cyberbullying.