We must admit that our children are currently growing up in a digital world whereby doing things online is becoming the norm.
It was demonstrated when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world and the education system was forced to operate entirely online. Not only universities and schools, but some kindergartens and playschools also provide online classes.
However, being online means exposing children to many other online activities including gaming, chatting, video making, and browsing, whether on a computer or a mobile device.
Some children are even active on social media platforms, especially now that TikTok is on the rage.
There’s no denying that children and teenagers are exposed to a wide range of things on the Internet.
While there are significant benefits to knowing the ins and outs of the online world, there is also a dark side to it.
One particular thing that all parents should be aware of is cyberbullying, which is defined as ‘the activity of using the Internet to harm or frighten another person, especially by sending them unpleasant messages’.
How Cyberbullying Occurs
Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that occurs online through messengers, social media apps, gaming platforms, or forums on any digital device.
Victims of cyberbullying are subjected to negative, harmful, or derogatory content, which made them feel disgraced and humiliated.
Cyberbullying could even occur alongside physical bullying, which can be damaging to the victim.
The impacts of cyberbullying can be severe regardless of age. According to UNICEF, online bullying makes people feel attacked and helpless.
The effects can last for a long time and affect a person in a variety of ways, including:
- Mentally – feeling upset, embarrassed, stupid, even fearful or angry
- Emotionally – feeling ashamed or losing interest in things once loved
- Physically – tired (lack of sleep), or suffering from symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches
(Source: UNICEF)
Worse, more young people are becoming victims of cyberbullying, and parents may be unaware of it.
As kids spend more time online, they are more likely to face various forms of cyberbullying.
Thus, it is critical for parents, as well as children, to be aware of what is going on with cyberbullying.
Let’s Look At 15 Concerning Facts
1. Malaysia ranks second in Asia in 2020 for cyberbullying among youths, according to a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report—indicating that cyberbullying is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem in the country.
2. Cyberbullying statistics show that 36% of students have been cyberbullied, implying that thousands of students are cyberbullied every day. Cyberbullying victims as young as 10 years old have reported that it has impacted their lives.
3. A study conducted by Javelin Strategy discovered a strong link between bullying and fraud. Minors who have been bullied online are nine times more likely to become victims of fraud than minors who have not been bullied (incident rates of 6.67% vs. 0.72%).
4. As listed by stopbullying.gov, cyberbullying can occur through a variety of channels, including online gaming. Mostly from the chat features, where inappropriate and mean messages can be sent to any affected young children.
5. Comparitech found a high percentage of parents reported that their children aged 5 and up were bullied. The results are as follows:
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- Parents with children ages 6-10: 7%
- Parents with children ages 11-13: 4%
- Parents with children ages 14-18: 9%
- Parents with children ages 19 and older: 3%
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6. Girls report three times as much online harassment as boys. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 21% of girls have been bullied online or through text messages, compared to less than 7% of boys (NCES).
7. Teens who were cyberbullied were also more likely to have poor sleep and depression, according to a 2019 study. This finding was supported by Ditch the Label’s 2020 report, where 36% of respondents reported feeling depressed.
8. A study published in JMIR Publications on cyberbullying among young children discovered that young people who experience cyberbullying are more likely to engage in self-harm and suicidal behaviour than those who do not.
9. Cyberbullying is one of the top five types of bullying experienced by young people, accounting for 27%, following social exclusion (89%), verbal bullying (86%), rumours (54%), and intimidation (35%).
10. Instagram is the social media platform where the majority of young people report cyberbullying, with 42% of those surveyed reporting harassment on the platform.
11. As a result of bullying, 41% of people develop social anxiety, which includes the fear of being scrutinised or judged by others.
12. Cyberbullying increases suicidal thoughts by 14.5% and suicide attempts by 8.7%. It also causes significant increases in suicide mortality, with the effects being stronger in men than in women.
13. Over 60% of students who experienced cyberbullying reported that it had a significant impact on their ability to learn and feel safe at school. Furthermore, 10% of students surveyed said they skipped school at least once in the previous year due to cyberbullying.
14. According to statistics on the effects of cyberbullying, 67% of children who have experienced online harassment suffered mental health problems.
15. Bullying and cyberbullying have been linked to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, family problems, academic difficulties, delinquency, school violence, and suicidal thoughts and attempts, according to research.
Looking at the statistics and facts above is heart-breaking, especially given that in extreme cases, cyberbullying can lead to young people committing suicide.
As parents, we must do everything we can to protect our children in this digital age.
It is worrying to consider what our young children may encounter while using the Internet.
This could happen to anyone anywhere in the world.
How Parents Can Help to Avoid and Stop Cyberbullying
Even if this isn’t always the case, parents should be the first people their children turn to when something goes wrong.
Always be open and approachable so that kids know they can come to you with any problems.
There are numerous practical methods that parents can use to prevent and stop cyberbullying, such as:
- Make it clear to the children that you believe in them and that they are well-cared for.
- Discuss your children’s feelings with them and offer emotional support.
- Monitor their online activity on any apps and digital devices to keep them safe.
- Raise their awareness of online issues and teach them how to respond appropriately.
- Understand how various social networking apps and sites work and teach your kids how to use them safely.
- Allow your children to speak up for themselves, but let them know that ignorance can be bliss at times.
- Work together to find solutions and avoid blaming your children or overreacting to the problems.
These are just a few examples of what can be done.
What matters is that if your children are being cyberbullied, you take every precaution to ensure that the torment stops and does not harm your children. Even so, it entails filing a police report.
At the same time, make an effort to communicate with them and acknowledge their emotions.
It’s the first step towards hopefully making everything better. You’ve got this, mums!
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