Social media influencers (SMIS) and cyberbullying: an exploratory study on the coping strategies used by SMIS as cyberbullying victims on social media

The increase in social media use has shifted plenty of communication from the physical world to cyberspace. Via the unprecedented interactivity of social media, Social Media Influencers can build a strong relationship with followers. Social Media Influencers have significant followers, including enthusiastic, engaged people who appreciate their opinions and detractors. While they benefit from the chances to become brand endorsers or opinion leaders due to their influences, they are also potential victims of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying among Social Media Influencers can be considered a growing disease in today’s social media. Thus, this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of ten Social Media Influencers who were victims of cyberbullying on social media. This study focuses on exploring the strategies used by Social Media Influencers on coping with cyberbullying. In this study, informants shared in-depth experiences through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with openended questions. The transactional Model of Stress and Coping was used to guide the study. The data analysis resulted in the identification of three themes problem-focused coping strategies: emotion-focused coping strategies, and cyber coping strategies. Overall, the current study has narrowed the gap in the literature and resulted in a greater understanding of lived experiences of cyberbullying and effective coping strategies on social media among public figures, namely Social Media Influencers.