Prevalence and correlates of the perpetration of cyberbullying among in-school adolescents in Oyo State, Nigeria

Objective: Cyberharassment/cyberbullying is a global problem that has been inadequately investigated in developing countries. In this paper, we present findings on the prevalence and predictors of perpetration of cyberbullying among in-school adolescents in Oyo state, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 653 students were selected via multi-stage sampling. Information on history of perpetrating harassment via an electronic medium in the 3-month period preceding the survey was obtained. Results: Respondents’ mean age was 14.2±2.2 years and 51.3% were females. All respondents had personal mobile phones and about half had Internet access. About 40% accessed the Internet every day while about 48% accessed it at least once to several times a week and Conclusion: About a quarter of students were perpetrators of cyberbullying, and the correlates of perpetration were history of cyber victimization and daily Internet access. Intervention programs must be instituted for victims as well as frequent users of the Internet to curb the problem in the study area.