How Many Kids Are Cyberbullied? An In-Depth Look at Cyberbullying Statistics

Cyberbullying has become a major issue impacting kids and teens today. With the rise of social media and digital communication, cyberbullying can happen anywhere at any time. Understanding the scope of cyberbullying and its effects is key to addressing this problem. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest cyberbullying statistics and trends.

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place online or through digital devices like cell phones and tablets. This can include:

• Sending mean or threatening messages through text, email, messaging apps or social media
• Spreading rumors or lies about someone on social media sites
• Impersonating someone online to embarrass them
• Posting unflattering pictures of someone online without permission
• Excluding or blocking someone from group chats or online activities

The effects of cyberbullying can be devastating for kids and teens. It can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and even suicidal thoughts. The bullying follows kids home and can happen 24/7, even when they are alone in their bedroom.

Key Cyberbullying Statistics

Here are some of the key statistics on cyberbullying among youth today:

• 15.5% of high school students were electronically bullied in the past year (CDC 2022)
• Girls are more likely to be victims – 20% of girls vs. 11% of boys (Pew Research Center 2022)
• 70% of teens have seen bullying online (Ditch the Label 2017)
• 37% of tweens (ages 9-12) have been cyberbullied (Care.com 2022)
• 12.6% of LGBTQ+ teens experienced cyberbullying (CDC 2019)

Cyberbullying by Age

• Among tweens aged 9-12 years old:
  • 37% have been cyberbullied (Care.com 2022)
  • 21% admitted to cyberbullying others (ABC News 2021)
• For teens aged 13-17 years old:
  • 15% have been cyberbullied (Pew Research Center 2022)
  • 17% have cyberbullied someone (ABC News 2021)

This shows that cyberbullying often begins at a young age, even among tweens. But it continues to impact teens at high rates.

Where Cyberbullying Takes Place

The most common places for cyberbullying to occur (Ditch the Label 2017):

• 42% on social media
• 33% through text messages
• 22% on messaging apps
• 12% on online games
• 10% on phone calls

So social media sites and texting are the dominant channels for cyberbullying activity.

Most Common Cyberbullying Tactics

The top ways kids and teens are cyberbullied (BYU 2022):

• Offensive name-calling (44%)
• False rumors spread (32%)
• Threats made online (28%)
• Embarrassing photos posted without consent (26%)
• Personal data posted publicly to embarrass (22%)

Direct attacks through offensive messages are a top tactic of cyberbullies. But they also use more indirect ways like spreading rumors and sharing embarrassing content.

How Cyberbullying Impacts Mental Health

Cyberbullying can severely impact mental health and wellbeing:

• 34% of students say cyberbullying has impacted their mental health and self-esteem (UCLA 2022)
• 90% of cyberbullying victims say they have felt depressed, stressed or angry due to bullying (NoBullying.com 2022)
• Cyberbullying victims are 1.9x more likely to attempt suicide (Hinduja and Patchin 2021)
• 10-14% higher rates of depression diagnoses are linked to cyberbullying (Boston Children’s Hospital 2021)

These alarming statistics show just how traumatic the effects of cyberbullying are on kids’ mental and emotional health. The impacts can linger long after the bullying has ended.

Are Certain Groups More Vulnerable to Cyberbullying?

While any child can be a victim of cyberbullying, research shows some groups are more vulnerable.

LGBTQ+ Youth

• LGBTQ+ teens are 3x more likely to be cyberbullied (CenterLink 2022)
• 70% of LGBTQ+ students say they’ve been bullied online for their sexual orientation or gender identity (GLSEN 2019)

Homophobic and transphobic cyberbullying is a major concern for LGBTQ+ youth.

Kids with Disabilities

• 22% of kids with disabilities report being cyberbullied, compared to just 8% of kids without disabilities (Disabilities Society 2022)
• Verbal, intellectual and developmental disabilities increase vulnerability to cyberbullying (Patchin 2018)

Bullies often target kids with disabilities, who may struggle to defend themselves.

Ethnic & Religious Groups

• 24% of Black teens reported online harassment due to their race vs just 6% of white teens (APNORC 2020)
• 35% of Jewish teens faced online hate related to their religion (ADL 2020)
• Muslim students are more than twice as likely to be cyberbullied (CAIR 2021)

Racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia often manifest online in cyberbullying.

Consequences & Solutions for Cyberbullying

More serious action is clearly needed to address the cyberbullying epidemic. But what are the most effective solutions?

School & Legal Consequences

• 52% of schools say they have rules against cyberbullying (NCES 2019)
• 46 states have laws criminalizing cyberbullying behaviors (Hinduja 2018)

While schools and states have taken action, more comprehensive policies are needed. Cyberbullying often goes unreported and policies are not consistently enforced.

Parental Monitoring

• Over 50% of teens say their parents check their social media and texts (Pew Research Center 2018)
• 80% of teens say their parents have talked to them about being kind online (McAfee 2018)

Proactive parenting and using technology controls like monitoring software can help protect kids online. But open communication is vital.

Social-Emotional Learning

• Anti-bullying education in schools reduces bullying by 20-23% (Yale 2017)
• Teaching empathy, ethics and emotional intelligence helps prevent cyberbullying behaviors (Jones 2010)

Education and skills training focused on social-emotional learning gives students tools to navigate bullying and improve online behavior.

Social Media Regulations

• 32% of teens have been harassed on social media sites (Pew Research Center 2018)
• 45% of parents worry their teen will be bullied online (Common Sense Media 2019)

Increasing safety measures and protections on social media platforms can reduce cyberbullying exposure.

The Takeaway: A Comprehensive Approach is Needed

Cyberbullying remains a significant threat to the wellbeing of kids and teens today. While prevention and response have improved, the statistics show more cyberbullying awareness and education is vital for parents, schools and communities. Comprehensive solutions require involvement from all stakeholders. Through coordinated efforts we can create a kinder online environment where youth are empowered to use technology in positive ways.

Conclusion

Cyberbullying is a serious issue impacting millions of young people across all backgrounds and walks of life. The mental health consequences can be devastating if victims do not receive support. While challenging, this problem is not insurmountable. Through research-backed solutions and the combined efforts of educators, parents, lawmakers, tech companies and youth themselves, we can work to create an internet where cyberbullying no longer runs rampant. Our children deserve safe spaces to learn, connect and explore both online and in the real world. By continuing to shed light on this issue and taking action, we can move closer to that essential vision.