Did you know 1 in 6 teenagers are cyberbullied?

Cyberbullying is defined as the “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cellphones, and other electronic devices.” With 80% of teens on cell phones and the same on social media sites,it’s time to understand that technology is connecting teens in ways they can’t escape.


Source: Best Education Degrees

Cyberbullying rates

1 in 6 (16.2%) of teens are cyber bullied [22.1% girls / 10.8% boys]
18.6% of white [25.9% girls / 11.8% boys]
8.9% of blacks [11% girls / 6.9% boys]
13.6% of hispanics [18% girls / 9.5% boys]
15.5 of 9th graders [22.6% girls / 8.9% boys]
18.1 of 10th graders [24.2% girls / 12.6% boys]
16 of 11th graders [19.8% girls / 12.4% boys]
15 of 12th graders [21.5% girls / 8.8% boys]

Off-line bullying rates

1 in 5 are bullied offline [22% girls / 18% boys]

Cyberbullying rates by state

Alabama [12.3%], Alaska [15.3%], Arkansas [16.7%], Colorado [14.4%], Connecticut [16.3%], Florida [12.4%],
Georgia [13.6%], Hawaii [14.9%], Idaho [17%], Illinois [16%], Indiana [18.7%], Iowa [16.8%], Kansas [15.5%],
Kentucky [17.4%], Louisiana [18%], Maine [19.7%], Maryland [14.2%], Michigan [18%], Mississippi [12.5%],
Montana [19.2%], Nebraska [15.8%], New Hampshire [21.6%], New Jersey [15.6%], New Mexico [13.2%], New
York [16.2%], North Carolina [15.7%], North Dakota [17.4%], Ohio [14.7%], Oklahoma [15.6%], Rhode Island
[15.3%], South Carolina [15.6%], South Dakota [19.6%], Tennessee [13.9%], Texas [13%], Utah [16.6%], Ver-mont [15.2%], Virginia [14.8%], West Virginia [15.5%], Wisconsin [16.6%], Wyoming [18.7%]

But cyber bullying is punishable by the law. [4]

49/50 states have bullying laws (Montana is the one state that doesn’t)
47/50 include “electronic harassment.
44/50 include school sanctions.
18/50 specifically include “cyberbullying”
and 12/50 include criminal sanctions.
With Federal cyberbullying laws pending.

What it causes

Teenagers who are cyberbullied are 3 times more likely to commit suicide.
Teenagers who are traditionally bullied are 2 times more likely to commit suicide.

Suicide attempts that require treatment:
1.5% for youths not bullied
2.3% for youths physically bullied
5.4% for youths cyberbullied
6% for youths physically and cyberbullied
Only 1/10 victims ask their parents for help.
Leaving 9/10 to deal with the abuse alone.

Tips for parents

• Unconditional support.
• Inform the child of options in dealing with the bully.
• Work with school officials.
• Work with the parents of the bully.
• Contact IT providers to get content removed and bullies blocked.
• If necessary, contact the police.

Tips for Educators

• Teach that cyberbullying is wrong.
• Listen and respond to all reports of bullying.
• Have students work on projects against cyberbullying.
• Have a system for complaints to be documented.
• Host speakers on the topic of bullying.
• Ensure that school is a safe place; free from cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is real and often more emotionally brutal than traditional bullying.
Stay informed and protect your children because sometimes words hurt more than sticks and stones.