Cyberbullying is bringing electronic or digital communication in use to bully someone. Messages sent and received are threatening for both sender and receiver.
Recent cyberbullying statistics of 2021 reveal that a high percentage of people get bullied at least once in their life. Numerous cyberbullying facts will certainly shock you.
Cyberbullying is more frightening than conventional in-person bullying because it can take place at any time or day. Cyberbullying is a serious problem in today’s society, but it is difficult to spot and often goes unnoticed.
Shocking and Frightening Cyberbullying Facts
Learning facts about cyberbullying is extremely valuable to prevent cyberbullying and handle it cautiously when it occurs.
1. More young people than we realize are cyberbullied Everyday
One of the first cyberbullying facts says that cyberbullying can start at a very young age, and it gets intensified between ages 12-and 17 years. There has been a 70% rise in bullying among teens and children since last year. Thousands of students are cyberbullied every day on social media.
2. Around 1 in 3 People Have Been Cyberbullied
Many individuals have admitted that they have been a victim of cyberbullying in their lifetime. Half of them have affirmed that they have been affected by at least one cyberbullying matter within the past few days of their life.
Online bullying has quickly escalated from a problem to a serious epidemic, and people have suffered from threatening behavior.
3. High Percentage of youth as victims of Cyberbullying Have Suffered Real-Life Abuse
The cyberbullying facts about how many people have indulged in cyberbullying activities are a real eye-opener. There is a high percentage of youth who have undergone real-life abuse in the physical world.
Almost 7 out of 10 online users acknowledge acting inappropriately due to a lack of education on the subject of cyberbullying.
4. Most common medium for cyberbullying is access to the internet through mobile phones or computers
The most common way that cyberbullying happens is through the internet. It includes access to social media, email, or the web.
Cyberbullying statistics show that the more time people spend on the internet, the more likely they are to be cyberbullied.
5. Girls are more likely to be cyberbullied than boys
Cyberbullying statistics show that girls aged 15-17 years are moderately more likely to be cyberbullied.
Girls face more harassment than boys because they are involved in non-consensual activities, exchange explicit and hurtful messages. Girls become victims of name-calling, rumor spreading, and more through cyberbullying.
6. About half of LGBTQ+ students experience cyberbullying
The number of LGBTQ+ students who have been victims of cyberbullying is much higher than students who are not part of the LGBTQ+ students.
LGBTQ+ is a vulnerable group because they are at the peak of being a victim of cyberbullying from strangers. They also face public humiliation and embarrassment.
7. Typically, parents will take measures for their children once they get informed about cyberbullying
Once parents realize that their children are facing cyberbullying, they become thoughtful. They get immensely involved in the issue because they likely want to avert the matter.
Parental involvement yields better results and can even witness the prevention of online abuse in the future. They:
- Monitor social media apps to help children stay safe.
- Communicate with their children about their feelings.
- Encourage children to show that they care about them.
- Come in contact with the parents or teacher of the bully to convey the issue.
- Teach children suitable ways to respond.
- Help children learn to withstand for themselves.
- Educate children to be kind and generous to everyone.
- Act as emotional support for their children.
8. Cyberbullying May Elevate Cases of Youth Suicide or Self Harm
Cyberbullying facts also discuss the extreme effect of cyberbullying because it can lead to depression, self-harm, and suicide among teens and young adults.
Cyberbullying questions a person’s identity, self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence, leading them to take their own lives in the end. It seems to be a digital problem, but the repercussions are of the real world.
9. Instagram is the leading social media app in cyberbullying
Instagram app is exceptionally popular among teens and youth, making it an approachable platform for bullying. Prevalent forms of abuse across multiple platforms include private abuse, getting together, online harassment, and public shaming.
Social media platforms have taken actions to prevent this kind of bullying, including reporting features and dismissing inappropriate language. There are also parental guides for parents to help make the app safer for children and teens.
10. Online Gaming Is a Considerable Source of CyberbullyingÂ
Cyberbullying can also be experienced in online gaming. Many boys may become targets of cyberbullying while indulging in online gaming.
There are chat features in gaming. It allows teens and young adults to send unsuitably and mean messages to each other.
11. Some Individuals Don’t Disclose Cyberbullying Even if They Know That It Is Not Right
It is not surprising for both witnesses and victims to not detail cyberbullying, even if they know it is not right. They may become worried about embarrassment, be concerned about the complications it will cause, or be worried that bullying will rise if they talk about it openly.
While innumerable children receive threats every day, only a few of them tell a parent, teacher, or adult in a position of power.
Most of them endure in silence, allowing themselves to be bullied for a long period of time.
12. In the case of students, cyberbullying can carry over into the classroom
Cyberbullying generally does not happen in a vacuum. Sometimes children face online bullying on the weekends and then in the classroom. Cyberbullying can also take place first in the classroom and then online.
13. Cyberstalking Has Been On The Rise Every Year
The amount of cyberbullying faced by both genders increases each year due to the rise in multi-platform stalking.
Cyberstalking leads to anxiety and paranoia for the victim, and some will get caught in the trap of sending inappropriate materials as asked.
14. There Are Multiple Forms of cyberbullying
We need to understand the different types of cyberbullying and cyberbullying facts to help prevent and handle them. Some types of cyberbullying include:
- Harassment
- Exclusion
- Deception
- Cyberstalking
- Disrespecting
- Negative talk
15. Sexting and uncensored bullying are significant forms of Cyberbullying
Sexting, non-consensual sexual messages, and sharing of non-consensual explicit images are serious and illegal forms of cyberbullying. These forms of cyberbullying are becoming more and more common.
16. Teaching About Precise Online Behavior Is Important To Prevent Cyberbullying
Proper knowledge about appropriate online behavior is vital for young children. Teachers and parents can help in providing this knowledge to children.
However, when children know what relevant online behavior is, they are less likely to get caught in the trap of cyberbullying and are more likely to report it when they see or experience it.
Teaching online manners is crucial to make sure that students know the right way to act when they interact online. In many schools, cyberbullying is considered a crucial topic of discussion for students.
Effect of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying facts show that cyberbullying can affect one’s mental health, leading to:
- social anxiety
- depression
- suicidal thoughts
- engagement in self-harm
- escaping academic classes
- development of eating disorders
- abusing alcohol and drugs
Main Reasons People Get Cyberbullied
To save people from the trap of cyberbullying, it is vital to look at why people are cyberbullied. The main reasons are:
- Physical features of the person
- Academic achievements or intelligence of an individual
- Race of the person
- The sexuality of the person
- The financial status of an individual
- The religion of the person
Signs That Someone Is Engaged in Cyberbullying
It is essential to remember cyberbullying facts and observe certain signs that someone has fallen into the trap of cyberbullying. It is difficult to observe these signs, but it is not impossible.
Classicly, children or adults who are involved in cyberbullying will:
- Terminate using their computer or phone when someone approaches them
- Look nervous and anxious when online
- Be introverted about what they are doing online
- Spend their maximum time using an electronic device like a computer or phone
- Become angry or disappointed when internet privileges are taken away from them
The Final Word
Cyberbullying is a relevant issue in societies of the world faced by everyone, including children and adults. It happens with individuals belonging to different religions, castes, races, sexes, and communities.Â
It gets worse every year due to the rise in cases of cyberbullying. A majority of teens have been subjected to cyberbullying on social media. Please read the article on teenage issues today and how to overcome them.
Maximum children have sensed that bullying has severely impacted their social lives. They either regularly post intense videos/photos or spend minimum time on social media. They also boycott themselves from academics, extra-curricular activities, family functions, and offline socialization with friends.
There is no doubt that children and adults have been exposed to social media for maximum hours of the day due to their studies and work, but simultaneously they give invitations to cyberbullying. Social media abuse is prevalent from both strangers and people who have known in real life.
Cyberbullying statistics have helped to determine the severity of cyberbullying among children, teens, and adults in various communities.Â
The study of cyberbullying facts helps everyone come across the reality of the world to deal with such cases, prevent them in the future, and save everyone who has been a victim of cyberbullying.
Ms. Priyanka Ohri is a Human Developmentalist. She is pursuing a master’s in Human development from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai and sustains a graduation degree in B.sc home science with a specialization in Human development from Lady Irwin College, Delhi University. She is an empathetic listener and an articulate writer.
