ABSTRACT
 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed the life style of youths across the world. One outcome of the increasing use of ICT is bullying someone via electronic devices, termed cyber bullying. Although the prevalence of this situation is on the increase, but the phenomenon has not been researched extensively in Nigeria. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of cyber bullying and highlight its implication for the psychological well-being of Nigerian youths. The paper shed more light in understanding the concept of cyber bullying, and reviews existing literature; its related factors and the outcomes of the behaviour. Existing government policies on the problem were also analyzed. Based on the available literature, cyber bullying is a global problem and very prevalent in Nigeria with a long lasting negative impacts on the psychological well-being of youths. Many of the victims of cyber bullying may experience a technical knock-out effect throughout their life span. They may also have depression, sadness, anxiety, and difficulty with relationships, substance abuse, self-inflicted suicide and school dropout. The experience can result to low self-esteem, anomie, isolation, psychosomatic symptoms and school failure. The paper concluded that there is need for urgent attention of researchers and policy makers to address the issue and recommended some strategic interventions to solve the problem. For instance, individualised interventions for youths affected by cyber bullying, either as victims or as bullies, need to be developed to resolve conflict and mitigate negative consequences that may result.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The emergence of modern technologies especially that of information and communication technology (ICT) is changing the way we live our lives. The availability and easy access to these technologies such as mobile phones and computers have in many ways redirected human social interactions especially among youths. Lenhar (2007) reported over 80% of young people in the United States owned at least one form of electronic media technology, such as cell phones, personal data assistant and computer for internet access. Although this is good for cross-border linkages and networking, it is also subject to abuse with dire consequences (Odora & Matoti, 2015). One of the consequences is cyber bullying, a situation whereby youths bully one another via electronic devices; and is currently being observed among students in schools including Nigeria (Ayas & Horzum, 2010; Olumide, Adams & Amodu, 2015).
Cyber bullying is defined as a form of aggression that involves the use of information and communication technologies such as mobile phones, video cameras, email, and web pages to post or send harassing or embarrassing messages to another person (Ybara & Mitchel, 2004). Willard (2007) describes it as sending threatening messages to a victim, or using digital technologies in a way that will lead to psychological and social problems for him/her. According to Willard (2014) and Bergman & Baier (2018) cyber bullying is being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material or engaging in other forms of social aggression using the internet or digital technologies.
Sharif and Gouin (2005) sees cyber bullying as a type of psychological bullying by means of such electronic devices as mobile phones, blogs, websites and chat rooms. Although cyberbullying is a relatively new concept and the definition is still evolving (Li, Smith, & Gross, 2012), most researchers agree that cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication technologies to bully others (Kowalski, Giumetti, Schroeder, & Lattaner, 2014). It is recognised as a growing problem in many developed (David-ferdon, & Feldman, 2007; Kowalski, Giumetti, Schroeder, & Lattaner, 2014); and developing countries like Nigeria (Fareo, 2015; Olumide, & Amodu, 2015, Odora & Matoti, 2015).
Web 2.0 has had a substantial impact on communication and relationships in today’s society.
