La comunicación digital en redes sociales y el acoso escolar en la Unidad Educativa Pedro Fermín Cevallos

Abstract

This research analyzes how digital communication through social media influences the emergence of school bullying situations among first- and second-year high school students at Unidad Educativa Pedro Fermín Cevallos, located in the canton of Cevallos, in the province of Tungurahua. The problem arises from the observation of offensive messages, comments, and posts circulating on platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, which form part of the everyday environment of adolescents. The theoretical framework is based on contributions from authors such as Manuel Castells, Alejandro Piscitelli, and Dan Olweus, who help explain how social networks shape communication and relationships, offering a more human understanding of young people's experiences within the world of technology. Castells explains the role of social networks and their impact on communication, identity, and interaction among youth; Piscitelli provides insight into how students learn, express their identity, and connect within digital environments; and Olweus, recognized as the father of bullying research, helps identify aggressor–victim dynamics and how these patterns are transferred to digital spaces. The methodology used in this study was both quantitative and qualitative. Surveys were administered to students, and interviews were conducted with teachers and DECE staff, allowing the identification of behavioral patterns and communication types related to school bullying on social media