Technology-Facilitated Abuse among College Students in a Private University

The advancements in technology have without a doubt helped humanity in so many ways. However, it is sometimes used for the wrong things, such as cyberbullying, cyberstalking, or blackmailing, which are forms of technology-facilitated abuse (TFA). This study aims to minimize the prevalence of technology-facilitated abuse by raising awareness and finding possible ways and policies to effectively prevent it. Through utilizing the Convergent Mixed-methods Approach and surveying 360 Saint Mary’s University college students, this study found that, overall, the extent of their experiences of technology-facilitated abuse ranges from not at all to experience at a low extent. Moreover, findings indicate that monitoring, stalking, and controlling behaviors are the most common types of technology-facilitated abuse they experience. Notably, significant differences can be seen in the extent of the respondents' experiences of technology-facilitated abuse. This suggests the need to be literate and knowledgeable about the pros and cons of technology and the digital world. These findings indicate the need to raise awareness about technology-facilitated abuse. The school could aid in addressing the rising cases of technology-facilitated abuse by educating students regarding the importance of digital safety, and by providing support for those who may be victims of technology-facilitated abuse, it could contribute to making a safer online environment for the students.