WHO Report: 1 in 6 Children Cyberbullied, a Wake-Up Call

In 2022, a report by WHO Europe revealed concerning trends in cyberbullying among children aged 11 to 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The report highlighted a significant increase in cyberbullying rates from 13 percent to 16 percent over the past four years. WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, emphasized the urgent need for collective action to combat bullying and violence in all its forms.

According to the study titled "Health Behaviour in School-aged Children," both boys and girls experienced cyberbullying, with 15 percent of boys and 16 percent of girls reporting incidents in recent months. The COVID-19 pandemic was cited as a contributing factor, with virtual forms of peer violence becoming more prevalent as young people increasingly turned to online interactions during lockdowns.

While cyberbullying rates saw a notable rise, other forms of bullying remained relatively stable, with a slight increase reported. Approximately 11 percent of boys and girls disclosed being bullied at school at least two or three times a month, compared to 10 percent four years prior.

The report emphasized the significant role of screen time in exacerbating cyberbullying, noting that adolescents spend up to six hours online daily. It also highlighted that one in eight adolescents admitted to cyberbullying others, marking an increase from 2018.

Data from 279,000 children and adolescents across 44 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada informed the study's findings. The report underscored that cyberbullying peaked around the ages of 11 for boys and 13 for girls in most regions. Interestingly, socioeconomic status showed minimal influence on children's behavior, except in Canada, where less advantaged youths were more vulnerable to bullying.

In response to the widespread issue, the report called for increased investment in monitoring various forms of peer violence and emphasized the importance of educating young people, families, and schools about cyberbullying. Additionally, it advocated for regulating social media platforms to mitigate exposure to cyberbullying, recognizing the profound implications such actions could have on the health and well-being of thousands of adolescents.

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