Understanding youth responses to digital violence: A qualitative exploration of risk and resilience

This study explores how young people experience, interpret, and respond to digital violence within contemporary media environments. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 25 participants aged 18-25, the research employs thematic analysis to examine the intersection of digital behavior, media literacy, and violence prevention. Findings reveal three overarching themes: (1) experiences of digital violence, (2) prevention and coping strategies, and (3) digital media awareness and usage motivations. Participants reported frequent exposure to cyberbullying, threats, digital dating abuse, and privacy violations, often facilitated by platform anonymity and weak regulatory safeguards. Coping responses primarily involved blocking, reporting, and seeking informal support from peers and family, while institutional and legal mechanisms were viewed as inadequate. Media literacy emerged as both a protective and enabling factor—informing preventive awareness but also revealing gaps that amplify online aggression. The study highlights the need for comprehensive digital citizenship education, platform accountability, and policy reforms addressing technology-facilitated violence. These findings contribute to the growing discourse on youth digital resilience and the dual role of media in both perpetuating and preventing online violence.