Browsing by Author "Onsare, Claudior"

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Curbing Cyberbullying on Facebook: An Analysis of Mitigation Strategies in Universities in Kenya
(2023) Kwanya, Tom; Ogolla, Erick; Kibe, Lucy; Kogos, Angella; Onsare, Claudior
Abstract Cyberbullying is the wilful and repeated use of electronic devices and platforms to harm others. It is becoming increasingly practised amongst university students in digital spaces. This paper examines the mitigation strategies Kenyan university students and administrators adopt to help curb cyberbullying. The study underpinning this paper applied mixed methods research approach employing both qualitative and quantitative studies. The total population of undergraduate students was 610,563, while that of the dean of students was 49. The study used stratified and information oriented sampling techniques. The study sample comprised 4,770 undergraduate students and 24 deans of students from 16 public and eight private chartered universities in Kenya. Quantitative data was collected from the students using questionnaires. Qualitative data was also collected from the students using focus group discussions and deans of students using key informant interviews. The study's findings indicate that students responded to cyberbullying by enhancing their online security, blocking perpetrators of cyberbullying, flagging and reporting offenders, seeking counselling, and taking legal action against them. The effectiveness of these strategies varied depending on the type of cyberbullying suffered. The authors conclude that cyberbullying is a prevalent socio-technological ill affecting undergraduate students in universities in Kenya. A myriad of strategies to cope with the vice has been adopted. However, this paper recommends concerted efforts of the students, deans of students, universities, government, and society in devising and implementing comprehensive strategies for curbing cyberbullying in universities in Kenya.
Pixels Hurt More Than Sticks and Stones: Confronting Cyberbullying on Facebook
(Technical University of Kenya, 2022) Kwanya, Tom; Kogos, Angella; Kibe, Lucy; Ogolla, Erick; Onsare, Claudior
Executive Summary This report documents the process and findings of a research project titled “Pixels hurt more than sticks and stones: confronting cyberbullying on Facebook”. The project which was conducted with a generous financial support from Facebook Inc. was carried out by researchers based in the School of Information and Social Studies, The Technical University of Kenya. The study was initiated in 2020 but, due to COVID-19 pandemic, was completed in 2022. This report comprises six chapters. The first chapter explains the research concept. It specifically elucidates the context of the study, research problem, significance and justification of the study, scope and delimitations of the study, limitations of the study, as well as the dissemination strategy of the research findings. The second chapter presents the review of literature on the subject, analyses research gaps, and explains the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of the study. The third chapter clarifies the research approach, design, population, sampling approaches, data collection techniques and tools, data collection procedure, data analysis as well as research reliability and validity. The fourth chapter presents the analysed research data while the fifth chapter discusses the findings and positions them in the existing body of knowledge on cyberbullying in universities. The sixth chapter summarises the findings and presents the recommendations of the study. This study was conducted in conformance with best practices in scholarly research. The researchers obtained ethical clearance as well as a research permit from research regulators in Kenya. Similarly, the project was cleared by institutional gatekeepers of all the universities which participated in the research. The findings have been analysed and presented in a way which does not identify the respondents of the study. Therefore, their contributions, views and identities remain anonymous and confidential. All efforts have been made to ensure that this report is as accurate as possible. Nonetheless, we apologise for any errors that may have slipped through the rigorous editing and review process.