Teen Violence

Bullying is a rampant problem in schools throughout the United States and is continuing to worsen after school with cyberbullying, which is why we are taking a look at cyber bullying statistics. Cyberbullying is a on-going problem that only gets worse as the Internet grows.

With the rise of Internet technology like social networking websites, email, blogs, message boards, instant messaging and forums, the rise of cyberbullying continues to grow, according to cyber bullying statistics. Bullying is no longer the big kid picking on the smaller kid on the playground at school. Bullying has taken on a whole new meaning with the Internet and cyberbullying. According to new cyber bullying statistics from the Consumer Reports survey, about one million children reported being harassed, threatened or subjected to other forms of cyberbullying on Facebook, alone over the past year. About 20 percent of all students report experiencing cyberbullying in their lifetimes, according to cyberbullying statistics from the Cyberbullying Research Center. 

Cyberbullying Statistics:

• Adolescent girls are found to be more likely to the victims of cyberbullying attacks. About 25.8 percent of girls in comparison to 16 percent of boys. 
• About 50 percent of teens and young adults from ages 14 to 24 have reported that they have experienced some form of digitally abusive behavior. Older teens are more likely to experience this type of bullying. 
• About 45 percent of teens witness rude and mean behavior being said back and forth to one another on social networking websites like Facebook and MySpace. 
• After receiving these types of cyberbullying attacks, girls are more likely to feel frustrated by the verbal attack, while boys are more likely to report feeling scared from the cyberbullying. 
• Cyberbullying statistics also report that victims of cyberbullying are likely to have lower self-esteem than the non-victims of cyberbullying. 

Unfortunately bullycide, or the teens who commit suicide as the result of bullying, is higher among middle-school age teens from cyberbullying incidents. About 8 percent of cyberbullying victims have reported feeling suicidal thoughts or feelings because of cyberbullying. The trouble with cyberbullying is that people may feel braver and more apt to say whatever they want online because it can be done so anonymously. About 51 percent of all young people surveyed admitted that they don't think about writing a harmful or hurtful message online before they do it, and don't think about the consequences or damage they could cause to the person they are posting to or about. 

Cyberbullying Prevention:

Because of these cyber bullying statistics that are so high in numbers, it is time to get a hold on this trend of bullying and stop it before it continues to climb. It is important for parents to teach their children that cyberbullying can be just as hurtful to another person as other types of bullying like physical, indirect and verbal forms of bullying. Teens who have been bullied through a social network or online need to report these incidents, especially if they are happening during school. They should be reported to the school administration or authorities especially if threats are being made. Another way to help prevent all types of bullying is to encourage strong relationships with friends and to develop higher self-esteem. Those teens with more friends and higher self-esteem are less likely to be the victims of any kind of bullying.  It is also important for parents to set an example for their children and demonstrate appropriate Internet usage. Become involved in what your child does online. Monitor their activities and be sure they are not abusing their Internet privileges by victimizing others online. Explain to your child that if they are having difficulties with a another classmate or friend, that they need to communicate the problem and resolve the issue rather than becoming an online bully to spread rumors and name call while on the Internet. Offer to moderate these types of discussions, or have a teacher or administrative member get involved in the matter. Taking an active role is more likely to prevent situations where cyberbullying is used as a way to tease and be hurtful among teens and children.

Sources: puresight.com, isafe.org