"BLURRING BOUNDARIES: SOCIAL MEDIA, CYBERBULLYING, AND HARASSMENT EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN ANDHRA PRADESH”

Povzetek

Cyberbullying has egress as an important social and psychological challenge in India with the waterway incursion of the internet and smartphones. India ranks among the top countries in terms of social media usage, particularly among young people aged 13–25 with over 491 million social media user identities - around 33.7% of the population as of 2025. Nearly 70% of urban youth and 45% of rural youth in India actively use social media platforms. While platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (Twitter) provide spaces for expression, learning, and networking, they have also become orbits for abuse, harassment, and bullying.

Studies and surveys indicate that a considerable dimension of Indian youth have either faced or witnessed online harassment, ranging from name-calling, impersonation, and spreading false rumors to severe forms like stalking, body shaming, and sexual harassment. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reported a steady rise in cyber crime cases, with cyberstalking and online harassment showing a marked increase in recent years. The latest NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data spotlights a significant and ongoing rise in cyber crimes across India, particularly those involving cyber stalking and online harassment.

These statistics underscore the urgency of comprehensive, coordinated action to combat online harassment and stalking, especially as India's digital engagement continues to rise rapidly among vulnerable youth and women populations.

Undertaking this research study among youth in Andhra Pradesh is highly significant due to acclivitous prevalence and grave impact on the well being of the young people, as cyberbullying is increasingly common among adolescents and youth in India. This study attains significance as it produces context-specific evidence about the prevalence, forms, and impacts of cyberbullying among Andhra Pradesh youth; identifies socio-cultural and technological risk and translates findings into actionable recommendations. By filling an important regional research gap, the study supports targeted, equitable, and scalable interventions to reduce online harm and improve young people’s digital well being.