Pengaruh Empati Digital terhadap Perilaku Cyberbullying pada Pengguna TikTok Dewasa Awal di Sidoarjo

Abstract

The increasingly widespread use of social media, particularly TikTok, has led to more intense interactions in the digital space. This situation not only facilitates communication but can also give rise to cyberbullying behavior. This study aims to examine the influence of digital empathy on cyberbullying behavior among young adult TikTok users in Sidoarjo. Using a quantitative approach and purposive sampling was used on 270 respondents aged 18-25 years. The research instruments included the Digital Empathy Scale adapted from Vossen and Valkenburg (r = 0,782) and the Cyberbullying Scale adapted from Willard (r = 0,916). Data were analyzed using simple linear regression with the aid of SPSS. The results indicate a significant negative effect of digital empathy on cyberbullying behavior (β = -0,689; p = 0,001), accounting for 47,5% of the variance (R² = 0,475). The higher the level of digital empathy, the lower the tendency for individuals to engage in cyberbullying among early-adult TikTok users. These results also underscore the importance of empathy in fostering more comfortable and safe interactions in digital spaces.