Extended English abstract:
Introduction
The phenomenon of cyberbullying, defined as intentional, repeated aggression via information and communication technologies, has become a significant social problem worldwide. In Iran, like in many other countries, the expansion of internet access and social media platforms has exacerbated this issue, particularly affecting women. Although cyberbullying was initially studied mainly among children and adolescents, recent research indicates that adult women are also frequent victims. Given the gaps in the literature regarding this demographic group in Iran, the current study investigates cyberbullying against adult women aged 18 to 50, emphasizing the role of media literacy as a potential protective factor. The research situates itself within the broader context of media management and interdisciplinary social studies, aiming to produce actionable insights relevant to policymakers, educators, and civil society.
Objective
The primary objective of the study is to explore the relationship between women's experiences of cyberbullying and their level of media literacy. Specifically, the study aims to: (1) delineate the prevalence and forms of cyberbullying among women in Tehran; (2) examine how demographic factors such as age, education, and income relate to victimization; and (3) assess whether higher media literacy corresponds to lower rates of cyberbullying experiences. These aims reflect the broader hypothesis that increasing critical media literacy can mitigate the negative impacts of online harassment and abuse.
Method
This research employed a quantitative-survey approach. A structured questionnaire was distributed among a sample of 251 adult women living in Tehran, selected through random and convenience sampling methods. The questionnaire consisted of two primary sections: the first adapted from a standard cyberbullying assessment tool developed by Smith et al. (2008), modified to reflect current technological realities, including the dominance of social media and mobile communication; and the second based on a Persian translation of Toman’s (2005) Media Literacy Questionnaire, previously validated by Azizi (2014). Data collection was conducted both online and through telephone interviews. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16), employing descriptive statistics and correlation tests to evaluate relationships between variables. Media literacy was measured across three dimensions: consumption habits, awareness of message characteristics, and critical analysis of media content. Cyberbullying experience was measured by self-reported incidents across six communication modes: SMS, video/image sharing, phone calls, emails, social networks, and instant messaging services.
Results
The findings show that approximately 40 percent of respondents had experienced some form of cyberbullying in the six months preceding the study. The most frequent platforms for victimization were social networks and instant messaging applications, with a notable absence of reports regarding bullying through traditional phone calls. A significant inverse relationship was found between age and cyberbullying exposure, indicating that younger women were more likely to be targeted. No statistically significant relationship was observed between educational level and victimization, although the trend suggested that higher education might slightly reduce the likelihood of being bullied. Similarly, while household income showed a negative trend with cyberbullying exposure, the relationship was not statistically significant.
A particularly strong positive correlation was identified between daily internet usage and cyberbullying exposure; women who spent more hours online were more likely to report being bullied. In terms of media literacy, the study found a clear inverse relationship between media literacy scores and experiences of cyberbullying. Women with higher media literacy, particularly those demonstrating strong critical analysis skills, were less likely to be victims. Within the media literacy dimensions, critical analysis skills were the weakest area among the participants, highlighting a significant vulnerability. The majority of participants were active users of Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram, with an average daily usage of approximately nine hours on social media platforms. This high engagement rate with online environments potentially exposes women to a greater risk of harassment.