CYBERBULLYING
The Escalating Problem
According to the Cyberbullying Research Center and Pew Research Center, approximately 55% of the students in a 2023 sample reported experiencing a cyberbullying incident in their lives.
While cyberbullying affects several age groups, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, high school-aged victims of cyberbullying are more than twice as likely to attempt self-harm or suicide than their peers not impacted by cyberbullying.
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the incidence of cyberbullying and cyber-victimization among children and adolescents. The increase in online activity due to school closures and social isolation contributed to this astronomical rise. A study in Vietnam reported that 36% of adolescents experienced cyber-victimization during the pandemic, compared to lower rates in earlier studies. With cyberbullying already on the rise due to the increased use of social media and technology, the pandemic and resulting lockdown truly established these trends in place, exacerbating its negative effects.
If Current Trend Continues...
Given the current trajectory and factors contributing to the rise in cyberbullying, the situation is expected to worsen in the coming years, if no fundamental changes are made.
If the trend continues, over half of all high school students will experience cyberbullying by 2027, leading to severe psychological, social, and academic consequences.
Gaps in current initiatives
Despite the numerous initiatives, educational programs, assemblies, and measures that have been taken and put in place, cyberbullying remains prevalent and continues to grow.
Increased Digital Engagement
The rise in screen time and online activities provides more opportunities for cyberbullying incidents to occur, making it harder to monitor and control. With students spending an average of 7-8 hours online daily, the digital environment has become a breeding ground for bullying behaviors that often go unnoticed by adults.
Evolving Social Media Platforms
New and rapidly changing social media platforms lack robust safeguards against cyberbullying, allowing harmful behavior to persist and evolve. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Discord, which are immensely popular among teens, frequently introduce new features that can be exploited for bullying before adequate protective measures are put in place.
Shortage of Interactive Initiatives
Many programs are not engaging or interactive enough to effectively educate students and change behavior, resulting in limited impact on preventing cyberbullying. Traditional lecture-based approaches fail to capture students' attention or provide them with practical skills to navigate online interactions safely.
Lack of Effective Measures
Existing policies and interventions are insufficient to deter cyberbullying and support victims effectively, highlighting the need for more comprehensive solutions. Many schools still rely on outdated disciplinary measures that do not address the root causes of cyberbullying or offer adequate support to affected students.