Approximately a quarter of the total number of teens and adolescents today fall victims to the phenomenon called "cyberbullying." In a report published by JAMA Pediatrics on Monday, it was revealed that a link between depression and bullying received by kids online may be established.
"Social media use is so common among kids and adolescents," stated Michele Hamm, the lead author of the study, according to Reuters. "We wanted to look at if there are documented harms associated with its use," she added. The study was conducted by researchers and experts at the University of Alberta and the Ontario Centre for Excellence for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Ottawa, Canada.
According to the authors (via JAMA Pediatrics), the importance of the study stemmed from the "profound effect" of social media to the interactions and relationships of adolescents and even children. Although the study acknowledges the benefits derived from the use of such technology, it also raises a particularly alarming concern - one that is related to the mental health of the users.
The study used data gathered from a 2012 report which indicated that among American teens, 95 percent have lives online. Among the said number, 81 percent are active in social media. The study found that the occurrence of bullying online among the respondents range from roughly five percent to 74 percent. Using the mean rate of 23 percent, this number indicates that at least one of four social media users experience cyberbullying.
Hamm also shared that "within the depression category, there was a consistent association between exposure to cyberbullying and an increased likelihood of depression," according to CTV News.
"Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology," according to the website of the organization called Stop Bullying. The site further enumerates what makes up electronic technology, citing "devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites." Kinds of cyberbullying, according to the organization, include "mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles."
However, the study showed that cyberbullying of girls is more prevalent compared with the guys. Hamm said, "Girls tended to be bullied about their popularity and appearance, and boys tended to be bullied more with homophobic comments and (about) their physical abilities."
Hamm pointed out that children and teens who become subjects of cyberbullying experience turn withdrawn, angry or embarrassed. Consequently, their grades also begin to suffer as well as their interest in attending classes.
Despite the negative effects of the experience, Hamm noted that the victims do not tell the adults about the situation. She said, "What we did not see a lot of was telling people." She added, "Kids often did not tell their parents or their teachers. If they told anyone, it tended to be a friend."
She then went on to reveal that the children and teens refuse to tell their parents because they were afraid that the latter "would take away their Internet access." Hamm continued, "This is a huge source of connection with their friends, so they didn't want to be cut off."
In response to this study, Rob Frenette, co-executive director and co-founder of BullyingCanada Inc., gave pieces of advice to both children and their parents, according to CTV News. "It's very important to let your parents know what's going on," he advises the children. Meanwhile, Frenette tells parents that they "need to understand that the best solution is to not completely unplug your child from all social media." He adds, "That way you're punishing your son or daughter for something they didn't do."
