According to a recent international research, almost one in six teenagers have experienced online abuse, shedding light on the widespread problem of cyberbullying.
The World Health Organization (WHO) surveyed over 279,000 youth in 44 countries and regions as part of a collaborative study.
Approximately 37 thousand young people in Wales took part in the survey; of these, 6,400, or 17%, reported having been the victim of cyberbullying. This is a highly concerning statistic.
Since 2018, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of cyberbullying occurrences, according to the regularly performed HBSC survey: for males, it has increased from 12% to 15% and for girls, from 13% to 16%.
The main tendency is the same in Scotland and England: 18% and 19%, respectively, of the youth there report having experienced cyberbullying. The significance of educating young people, families, and educational institutions about the many forms of cyberbullying and its repercussions is emphasized.
The Director of WHO’s Europe Region, Mr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, emphasizes the significance of addressing cyberbullying, particularly in the midst of the widespread online activity during COVID-19.
Kluge draws attention to the parts of cyberbullying that pertain to human rights and healthcare, and she suggests global actions to safeguard the wellness of teenagers.
Sarah Hannafin, senior policy adviser at union NAHT, is concerned that the issue would rise along with cyberbullying rates. Thus, governments, social media companies, and other and schools to unite against the problem.
