The Development of Probability for Risk Assessment on Cyber Bullying Experience: A Case Study on Secondary School Students

Abstract

The rapid expansion of information and communication technology (ICT) has transformed how adolescents interact and learn but has also heightened the risk of cyberbullying among Malaysian secondary school students. This study develops and validates a probability-based risk assessment model to examine the impact of cyberbullying on students’ academic performance. Using an action research design, data were collected through expert input from school counsellors and surveys administered to 258 secondary students in Kota Setar, Kedah. Six key dimensions were identified: victimization experience, social media use, guardian involvement, personality, lack of internet literacy, and peer influence. These dimensions were integrated into a Cyberbullying Probability Flowchart (CbPF) and a risk matrix to measure severity levels. Findings indicate that students who spend more than three hours daily on social media are at significantly higher risk of cyberbullying, resulting in lower academic engagement, weaker time management, and diminished learning motivation. Gender and place of residence also emerged as significant factors, with female students and those living with parents reporting greater emotional distress and academic disruption. Common forms of cyberbullying included online harassment, social exclusion, rumours spreading, and the non-consensual sharing of personal content. Theoretically, this research integrates digital behaviour, psychosocial vulnerability, and academic outcomes into a comprehensive risk assessment framework. Practically, it provides actionable insights for educators, parents, and policymakers to design early intervention and targeted prevention strategies. Methodologically, it introduces a data-driven, expert-validated probabilistic model that can be replicated to assess cyber-related risks in educational contexts. Overall, the study underscores the urgent need for collaborative preventive measures to safeguard students’ emotional well-being and academic success in an increasingly digital society.