Exploring Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms in the Context of Textual Cyberharassment: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The digital landscape and rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technology have significantly increased social interactions, but it has also led to a rise in harmful behaviours such as offensive language, cyberbullying, and HS. Addressing online harassment is critical due to its severe consequences. This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of existing studies that employed metaheuristic optimization algorithms for detecting textual harassment content across social media platforms, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Using the PRISMA methodology, we reviewed and analysed 271 research papers, ultimately narrowing down the selection to 36 papers based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. By analysing key factors such as optimization techniques, feature engineering strategies, and dataset characteristics, we identify crucial trends and challenges in the field. Finally, we offer practical recommendations to improve the accuracy of predictive models, including adopting hybrid approaches, enhancing multilingual capabilities, and expanding models to operate effectively across various social media platforms.