Question:

Is digital bullying most widespread in primary or secondary school?

Answer from Kids and Media’s Director:

Problems related to digital bullying are usually much greater amongst pupils in secondary school and college than primary school. Publishing pictures and video clips, rumour spreading, threats, insults and identity theft (egg: by logging in to other’s home pages or MSN) are the most common challenges.

The increase in bullying with age can be due to several factors. At around 11 – 13 years of age, many children become very active on social media, and consequently the social challenges also increase. In addition, the Internet and mobile phones become more available: an increasing number of the older children and younger teenagers receive their own mobiles and computers - maybe even PCs in their own room or access to wireless networks at home.

The teenage years are a phase where young people detach themselves from their parents and hunt for their own identity. This break often leads to a lack of parental follow up of their teenager's media use. The combination of greater availability of technology, increased use and less parental follow up, pared against an at times rather rough net culture can be factors that together contribute to the increase in bullying when children become teenagers.

In many situations, a lack of reflection over one’s behaviour or comments on the net or mobiles is an important reason why young people bully others. Many say and do things that can be experienced as hurtful or damaging for others, without thinking through the consequences for the recipient/victim.

Kids and Media’s experience is that a dialogue about conscious decisions, in addition to a discussion about acceptable behaviour as indicated by legal guidelines, gives good results.

Video Clip:

If you wouldn't say it in person, why say it online? This fun video clip makes a very good point on cyber bullying. Just click the play button at the top of the right hand column to watch the clip.

Related articles on kidsandmedia.co.uk:

What is digital bullying?

Cyberbullying Tips

Cyber Bullying (topics for discussion)