63% – Of respondents in the 2011 Kids Help Phone Cyberbullying survey were bullied through social networking.
65% – Of respondents from the same survey would rather tell a friend than an adult if they were being bullied.
35% – Of respondents in the 2013 Ipsos Interactive Reid Report who have a profile on a social networking site have seen mean or inappropriate posts about people they know.
By definition, cyberbullying “is the use of any kind of technology to intimidate, hurt or humiliate others.” (Cited from kidshelpphone.ca) While it may not seem like a big deal at the time, studies have shown that cyber-bullying can have a significant negative impact on individuals in the long-term.
Some precipitating factors as a result of cyberbullying include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of concentration
- Not doing as well in school
- Feeling hopeless/helpless
- Suicide
Symptoms of cyberbullying:
- Crying, feeling irritated or cranky.
- Feeling angry, sad, betrayed, afraid, hurt or embarrassed.
- Feeling sick (e.g. frequent headaches and stomach aches).
- Blaming yourself for being bullied & ignoring the problem.
- Feeling stressed out.
Signs if someone is being cyber-bullied:
- They do not want to use the computer or phone as often.
- They undergo mood swings/ drastic changes in behavior.
- They get anxious about going to school.
- They isolate themselves from others.
- There is a lack of communication between you and them.
- They harm themselves (e.g. cutting, alcohol and/or drug abuse).
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