Analysis of Power Acts in Persian Cyberbullying on "Instagram" and "X"

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Farhangian University of Ilam, Ilam

Abstract

The present study investigates how power is exerted through Persian cyberbullying by applying a critical discourse analysis framework and Searle’s (1969) speech act theory. Using stratified sampling, 10,000 comments from X and Instagram (2023–2024) across political, celebrity, and humor domains were coded and examined. Results show that cyberbullying operates not merely as isolated hostile acts but as a discursive practice that reproduces and reinforces social hierarchies. Perpetrators employ specific linguistic strategies: explicit illocutionary acts such as imperatives (45%) that directly assert dominance, and indirect illocutionary acts—including derogatory metaphors (35%) and veiled threats (38%)—that marginalize targets while obscuring responsibility. Chi-squared tests (p<0.001p) confirm these patterns are significantly more prevalent in bullying posts. The study argues that effective countermeasures must move beyond keyword detection to incorporate contextual and power-aware discourse analysis, platform moderation informed by pragmatic intent, and educational interventions that address underlying social inequalities driving online abuse, promoting more equitable digital spaces.

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Main Subjects

Linguistic Studies: Theory and Practice

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 September 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 30 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 September 2025

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