Platform-Based Cyberbullying and Stigmatization of Children with Disabilities: A Comparative Study of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp

Abstract

Aim of the Study: The subject of this research paper is how students with disabilities suffer from cyberbullying and online stigmatization through social networking sites. It investigates the prevalence of cyberbullying on the big four platforms Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp.Moreover, the study explores how stigma of disability hinders these students' engagement in online interactions.

Methodology: The study employed quantitative (cross-sectional) survey design. The target population consisted of school-age children with disabilities who were active users of at least one of the following social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube or WhatsApp. For the purposes of this study, children with disabilities included those formally identified with physical, sensory (hearing or visual), intellectual, learning and neurodevelopmental disabilities between the age 11–18 years old were selected.

Findings:The findings indicate that students with disabilities are severely victimized by online abuse, and the offender platform in the majority of cases is WhatsApp.Besides that, these students consider themselves as the victims of discrimination on account of their disabilities where they get marginalized and made to feel less capable, especially on social media.Ways to cope with such situations include users blocking and turning to family and teachers for support.However, a considerable number of interviewees were unhappy with the interventions in their schools.

Conclusion: This research advises the necessity of inclusive digital literacy programs and the implementation of robust anti, bullying policies in educational institutions aimed at safeguarding students with disabilities from cyberbullying and online stigmatization. There's a need for subsequent studies to find the best school, based and online intervention strategies.