Impact of Cyberbullying on the Mental Health of Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Lagos Island, Lagos State

The emergence of cyberbullying as a pervasive form of peer victimisation in Nigerian urban adolescent communities warrants urgent attention from school counsellors and mental health professionals. This study examined the impact of cyberbullying on the mental health of adolescents in selected secondary schools on Lagos Island, Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used, with 410 students selected from eight co-educational schools. The Cyberbullying Victimisation Scale and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were administered. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation, t-tests, and regression analysis. Findings indicated that 47 percent of respondents had experienced some form of cyberbullying in the preceding six months. Cyberbullying victimisation was significantly associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive episodes, reduced school engagement, and social isolation. The impact on mental health was more severe among students who had no one to confide in at home or school. Female students and students in older age cohorts were more frequently targeted. The study concluded that cyberbullying is a growing mental health risk in Lagos secondary schools that demands a structured counsellor-led response. Recommendations included training school counsellors in digital wellness and online safety education, establishing peer support networks, and advocating for school-based mental health screening programmes. Keywords: cyberbullying, mental health, adolescents, Lagos Island, secondary school.