SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION AND CYBERBULLYING PERPETRATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GENDER IN PAKISTAN

Background: The rapid growth of social media has transformed communication, education, and business interactions globally. However, its overuse is increasingly linked to maladaptive behaviors, particularly among youth. Cyberbullying perpetration, a rising concern, is strongly associated with problematic social media engagement. While international literature is extensive, studies focusing on the Pakistani population—particularly gender-based differences—remain limited. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing culturally relevant interventions that promote digital well-being among university students. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between social media addiction and cyberbullying perpetration among young adults in Pakistan, with a particular focus on gender differences. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was adopted. Using purposive sampling, data were collected from 156 university students (78 men and 78 women), aged 18–25 years, all of whom were enrolled in BS or MS programs at Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized universities and had used social media for at least one year. Two validated instruments were employed: the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS; α = 0.80) and the Cyberbullying Perpetration Subscale (α = 0.93) of the Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS v27. Results: The mean age of participants was 22.30 ± 1.97 years. A strong positive correlation was found between social media addiction and cyberbullying perpetration (r = .66, p < .01). Men scored significantly higher than women on social media addiction (M = 16.48 ± 4.38 vs. 14.06 ± 5.12; t(154) = 3.13, p = .002) and cyberbullying perpetration (M = 58.88 ± 10.99 vs. 54.51 ± 11.36; t(154) = 2.44, p = .01). Conclusion: The findings highlight a significant gender disparity in social media addiction and cyberbullying behavior among university students in Pakistan. Preventive strategies tailored to young men may be effective in reducing online aggression and fostering safer digital environments.