Digital ecopedagogy-based counseling for cyberbullying prevention among vocational high school students

Abstract

Cyberbullying has become a growing concern among adolescents in vocational high schools, particularly in Indonesian contexts where conventional counseling often struggles to address online aggression effectively. This study evaluated the effectiveness of digital ecopedagogy-based counseling (DEBC), a structured digital counseling intervention that combines interactive online modules, ecological reflection tasks, peer mentoring, and counselor-guided discussions, in preventing cyberbullying among vocational high school students in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental design involved 180 students and six school counselors from three vocational schools, with an eight-week intervention for the experimental group and conventional face-to-face counseling for the control group. Data were collected through pre-test and post-test cyberbullying behavior scales, supported by interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The experimental group showed significantly greater reductions in cyberbullying behavior (N-Gain=0.45–0.67, p<0.05) than the control group (N-Gain=0.12–0.18). Qualitative findings further revealed increased empathy, stronger peer support, and more reflective digital decision-making among students. These findings demonstrate that DEBC offers an innovative and scalable counseling model that integrates digital literacy, socio-emotional learning, and ecological reflection to strengthen cyberbullying prevention in vocational school settings.