![]() Such considerable overlap rates may further account, at least in part, for the considerable variation in prevalence reported for cyberbullying and strongly suggests that cyberbullying is an extension of traditional bullying, i.e., it is a new weapon for bullies to use against targets they also bully at school.Ĭyber-victimization has been associated with depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem and behavioral problems in adolescence and beyond, with some claiming the outcomes for cyber-victims may be even worse than for traditional victims. ![]() This suggests that 9 out of 10 adolescents who report experience of cyber-victimization are also bullied by traditional forms of bullying. Olweus reported on two studies showing co-occurrence of traditional and cyberbullying of 88–93% and similar rates were recently reported by others. But how many cyber-victims are also bullied by traditional means? Juvonen and Gross found that 85% of cyber-victims were also traditional victims. There may be real variations due to differential use of electronic media across regions or schools, or because of measurement issues, according to a recent review. ![]() The reported prevalence of cyberbullying amongst adolescents varies considerably, ranging from as low as 5–10% to 50%, or as high as 72%. Firstly, does cyberbullying create new victims, or is it another tool in the armory to bully those who are already victims of traditional bullying at school? Secondly, does cyberbullying in adolescence have unique effects on psychological and psychosocial outcomes, above what is experienced by victims of traditional bullying?Ĭyberbullying is broadly defined as bullying that is carried out via electronic means such as text messages, emails, online chatrooms or social networking sites. There are at least two issues that need to be addressed to be certain that we are facing a new epidemic. However, others have criticized the hype surrounding cyberbullying, believing this to be a largely overrated phenomenon. Indeed, within the past 10 years, the number of research articles published on this topic has risen exponentially, with some claiming cyberbullying to be a ‘new phenomenon’ created by the availability of electronic media which is an increasing problem for children and adolescents. “Cyber-bullying: Horror in the home”, and “It’s time to stop the cyberbullying epidemic”, are some of the headlines claiming that social media have created a new demon: cyberbullying. Intervention efforts should need to include a focus on traditional bullying. Adolescents that are bullied experience more behavior and self-esteem problems and those bullied by various means (poly-victims) are the most severely affected. The majority of cyber-victims are bullied traditionally, i.e., directly or relationally in their peer group. Intervention strategies against cyberbullying may need to include approaches against traditional bullying and its root causes to be successful.Ĭyberbullying creates very few new victims. Cyberbullying extends the reach of bullying beyond the school gate. Cyberbullying creates few new victims, but is mainly a new tool to harm victims already bullied by traditional means. However, those bullied by multiple means (poly-victims) had the most difficulties with behavior (z = −0.94) and lowest self-esteem ( z = −0.78). Compared to direct or relational victims, cyber-victimization had similar negative effects on behavior ( z = −0.41) and self-esteem ( z = −0.22) compared to those not involved in bullying. Twenty-nine percent reported being bullied but only 1% of adolescents were pure cyber-victims (i.e., not also bullied traditionally). Pupils completed an electronic survey that measured bullying involvement, self-esteem and behavioral problems. This study assessed 2745 pupils, aged 11–16, from UK secondary schools. But does it create many new victims beyond those already bullied with traditional means (physical, relational)? Our aim was to determine whether cyberbullying creates uniquely new victims, and whether it has similar impact upon psychological and behavioral outcomes for adolescents, beyond those experienced by traditional victims. Cyberbullying has been portrayed as a rising ‘epidemic’ amongst children and adolescents.
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