Rianat Ademola

“You are ugly.”

“You are a third-class student.”

“You are a prostitute”.

These harsh comments are real. Behind every screen is a person with feelings and someone who feels the weight of these words. What is worse is that these comments often come from people trusted: friends, classmates, or even family. As our world evolves in the digital space, it has also become a place where people hide behind screens to pass their aggression. It is cyberbullying.

“Shebi, I am catching cruise,” “It is just banter.”

Some people dismiss harmful online behaviour as “just jokes,” but the reality is that it constitutes cyberbullying. Whether it is body-shaming on WhatsApp or hate-filled comments on Twitter, it is still bullying. Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying happens silently, often leaving the victim unsure of who is attacking them.

According to a UNESCO report (2019), over 30% of students worldwide experience bullying. One in ten students is cyberbullied, and the numbers keep rising. In Nigeria, as smartphone usage increases, cyberbullying is becoming more common and concerning. With more students using platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram, opportunities for cyberbullying increase. Students, in particular, are now among the biggest victims. Cyberbullying does not just leave a bruise; it damages a person’s confidence, their sense of self, and sometimes their mental health.

Cyberbullying in the University Environment

At the University of Ibadan, events like “anonymous sessions,” which were once considered harmless, have become platforms for attacks. Instead of subtle confessions, students often use these events to mock and insult their coursemates. During an anonymous session reported by Assesa Press, a student was attacked during an anonymous session. Her appearance, personality, and even her academic struggles were targeted anonymously. Anonymous sessions are not inherently problematic; they are intended to be fun moments for students to relieve stress and bond with one another. However, when they shift from harmless fun to emotional violence, they become assaults.

Similarly, a student shared her experience on Twitter about no longer using her Yoruba name because she felt her ethnic group did not recognise her. It became an online war. She was bombarded with insults.”

I stopped mingling with my coursemates after the anonymous session; I do not see them as my friends,” Seyi, a 200-level student, shared. Another student, Teni, a 300-level Political Science student, also disclosed her experience: “I remember the first time I saw a hurtful comment about me online. It was an anonymous post and at first, I tried to brush it off. But then it kept happening. It felt like I was being attacked from all sides. Anytime an anonymous session is to be held, I am afraid my name will appear.”

Often, the fear of judgement caused by cyberbullying pushes victims into social isolation. Victims frequently experience anxiety, depression, and a sense of hopelessness.

Cyberbullying is Still Bullying

There is a dangerous myth that cyberbullying is not as serious as physical bullying. However, the emotional pain from cruel words can be just as damaging, if not more so. Insensitive jokes about someone’s appearance, background, or mental health may seem harmless to the person saying them, but the person receiving them often carries the pain long after the joke fades. Cyberbullying is not always easy to spot, and many students suffer in silence. They may avoid group chats, skip social gatherings, and feel paralysed by the fear of being attacked. It is emotional violence.

The Power to Change Starts with Us

Every individual has a role to play in creating a more compassionate environment. As experts argue, when we witness bullying, we must act. Reporting it, supporting the victim, and challenging harmful behaviour are all vital steps. Cyberbullying is not a distant problem, it is something that affects all of us. Yet, the power to change lies within each of us. When we choose to speak up, challenge harmful behaviours, and take responsibility for our actions, we take the first steps toward a kinder, safer digital world. Before posting or commenting, ask yourself: “Would I say this to their face?” If not, think twice. Words have the power to hurt and they should be used wisely.Your words hurt.

Note: The names used in this article are pseudonyms to protect the identity of the students.