One of the most reliable ways to confirm any information is statistics. With it, it is possible to verify the presence or absence of any problem and obtain specific evidence. The use of highly reputable sources also helps to ensure the high validity of the study. That is why well-known statistical databases were chosen as evidence of the relevance and seriousness of the cyberbullying problem.
This phenomenon is inherently associated with modern communication technologies that provide a high degree of anonymity. Therefore, this phenomenon can be well observed in developed countries with a high level of technology, such as the United States. As the data portal Statista shows, more than 40 percent of adult Internet users in the United States have experienced cyberbullying at least once (Johnson, 2021). This issue is most widespread in various social networks, particularly on Facebook, which has high popularity in this country (Johnson, 2021). Since the spread of social networks increases every year, this problem requires close attention.
An additional factor that increases the scale of this problem is the peculiarities of the Internet structure. Most social media sites do not have state borders and prohibitions, with a few exceptions. As a result, aggression can be carried out almost constantly since people from all over the globe can be involved in it. Statistics provided by tech research website Comparitech show that in most countries around the world, many parents believe their children are being cyberbullied online (Cook, 2022). The highest percentage of such responses was recorded in India, Brazil, and the United States – 37, 29, and 26 percent, respectively (Cook, 2022). Since the spread of this problem affects almost the entire world in all its diversity, its relevance is global.
Finally, it is essential to note the impact of cyberbullying on children. According to the Pew Research Center, up to 59 percent of teens in the US have been bullied at least once (Anderson, 2018). At the same time, the most common form of aggression is name-calling and the spread of false rumors. Children of all ages are exposed to such bullying, not just teenagers, since 47.7 percent of six to ten years olds’ parents also reported having noticed acts of cyberbullying (Cook, 2022). Such psychological pressure can seriously impact youth, development, and everyday life, which is another argument for paying attention to this problem.
References
Anderson, M. (2018). A majority of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. Pew Research Center.
Cook, S. (2022). Cyberbullying facts and statistics for 2018 – 2022. Comparitech.
Johnson, J. (2021). Cyber bullying – statistics & facts. Statista.