A new study conducted in June 2013 by Manuel Gamez-Guadix, PhD, of the University of Deusto in Spain, found that victims of cyberbullying are at a higher risk for psychological and behavioral health problems.
Effects of bullying/cyberbullying on the victim include:
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Drug use
- Stunted social development
- Internet addiction
A survey of students in Spain found that 47.9 percent of them identified as having been a victim of cyberbullying. The statistics for the United States are similar: it is estimated that nearly 30% of students are involved in traditional bullying—as victims, bystanders, and perpetrators—and 42% of children and youth have said they have been cyberbullied.
Researchers note in the Journal of Adolescent Health that cyberbullying is a growing problem among teens around the world. Its connection to behavioral and psychological problems highlights the need for prevention, as well as for monitoring those who have been involved in a cyberbullying incident.
Sources:
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/teenage-bullying.html