An international study has revealed that one in six adolescents have encountered cyberbullying, highlighting an increase in incidents compared to pre-pandemic levels, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The research, which surveyed over 279,000 young individuals from 44 countries and regions, found a rise in cyberbullying cases among school-aged children, particularly during the pandemic.
In Wales, where approximately 37,000 youths participated in the survey, 17% reported experiencing cyberbullying.
The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey indicated a rise in the percentage of adolescents reporting cyberbullying incidents since 2018, with figures climbing from 12% to 15% for boys and from 13% to 16% for girls.
In England, where the survey included more than 4,200 young participants, nearly one in five (19%) stated they had been cyberbullied at least once or twice in the past few months, while 11% reported engaging in cyberbullying behaviors.
Similarly, in Scotland, where over 4,300 young people were surveyed, 18% reported experiencing cyberbullying, with 11% admitting to cyberbullying others.
The study underscores the urgent need to educate young individuals, families, and schools about the various forms of cyberbullying and its consequences.
Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, emphasized the necessity of addressing virtual forms of peer violence, particularly in the context of increased online engagement during Covid-19 lockdowns. Kluge stated, “Focusing on virtual types of peer violence is now an urgent priority to safeguard the health and wellbeing of populations of adolescents and young people, and cyberbullying must be viewed as a major issue for societies.”
