Teachers' sensitivity to cyberbullying: Investigating the role of perception of digital ethics and awareness of digital data security

Purpose: Cyberbullying refers to a set of harassing and aggressive behaviors that are carried out through digital tools. The present study aimed to investigate teachers' sensitivity to cyberbullying and the role of digital ethics perception and awareness of digital data security in predicting it.
Methodology: This research is applied in terms of purpose and is a correlational study in terms of type. The research population includes 2082 teachers in Noorabad city in the academic year 2024-2025. The sample size based on Morgan's table was 324 people (185 male and 139 female) who were selected by available sampling method. Research data were collected using the "Cyberbullying Questionnaire, Tanrıkulu., Kınay & Arıcak (2013)", "Digital Ethics Perception Questionnaire, Torun (2014)" and "Digital Data Security Awareness Questionnaire, Yılmaz, Şahin & Akbulut (2015)". data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistical indicators including percentage and frequency, and inferential statistics such as multivariate regression, one-sample t-test, Hoteling's t-test and correlation coefficient by using SPSS software.
Findings: The research findings showed that the average level of sensitivity to cyberbullying is 32.83. This value is higher than the hypothetical average (26) and is positive and significant (P < 0.01). The average level of perception of digital ethics is 53.56. This value is lower than the hypothetical average (112) and is significant (P < 0.01). The average level of awareness of digital data security is 93.62. This value is lower than the hypothetical average (96) and is not significant (P = 0.151); therefore, it can be said that the level of sensitivity to cyberbullying and perception of digital ethics of teachers in Noorabad city is desirable and the level of awareness of digital data security is undesirable. The level of sensitivity to cyberbullying, perception of digital ethics and awareness of digital data security of teachers in Noorabad city is at an average level. The coefficients of the equation predicting susceptibility to cyberbullying based on digital ethics and its components showed that among the variables studied, only the components of accuracy and trust significantly predict the variance of the susceptibility to cyberbullying variable. The effect coefficients of accuracy (B=-0.235) and trust (B=-0.206) are, indicating that accuracy and trust have a negative and significant relationship with susceptibility to cyberbullying. That is, these two components have significantly reduced teachers' sensitivity to cyberbullying. Also, according to the T statistic, it can be said that the components of trust and ownership can predict the changes related to cyberbullying sensitivity in teachers with 99% confidence. These variables predict a total of 32% of the variance of the sensitivity variable towards cyberbullying. Also, the findings show the relationship between teachers' sensitivity to cyberbullying and teachers' perception of digital ethics. Also, there is a significant difference in teachers' sensitivity to cyberbullying based on gender, and the perception of digital ethics is a significant predictor of cyberbullying sensitivity.
Conclusion: The results of this research show that the level of sensitivity to cyber bullying, perception of digital ethics and awareness of digital data security among the teachers of educational courses in Noorabad city was at an average level; Therefore, it is suggested to increase the sensitivity towards cyberbullying, teachers' perception of digital ethics and awareness of digital data security, to create a space for discussion and exchange of opinions about ethical issues related to technology and the use of digital tools in order to strengthen teachers' perception and understanding of These topics help. The results of this research showed that there is a significant difference between teachers' sensitivity to cyberbullying, perception of digital ethics and awareness of digital data security according to gender. In this regard, male teachers were, on average, more sensitive to cyberbullying than female teachers. This result shows that men need more awareness and training in this field. On average, female teachers had a higher perception of digital ethics than male teachers. This result shows that women generally pay more attention to ethical principles in using digital technology. Also, male teachers were more aware of digital data security than female teachers. This result shows that male teachers are usually more capable in matters related to digital data security.