... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: ANI | Published : June 17, 2013 7:09 PM IST
Washington (ANI): Teenage victims of cyber bullying are more likely to develop symptoms of depression, substance abuse and internet addiction, a new study has revealed.
Conversely, teens who are depressed or who abuse drugs are also often targets of cyber bullies.
Understanding the link between cyber bullying and health behaviours in adolescence is critical, said the study's lead author, Manuel Gamez-Guadix, Ph.D. of the University of Deusto in Spain.
'A number of adolescents are both victims of cyber bullying and perpetrators of cyber bullying, but victims are at higher risk for psychological and behaviour health problems, like substance abuse, after six months of bullying,' he stated.
Gamez-Guadix and his colleagues surveyed 845students (498 girls and 337 boys) between the ages of 13 and 17 years-old. They found that 24 per cent had been a victim of one cyber bullying behaviour, such as someone sending a threatening or insulting message, 15.9 said they experienced two bullying behaviours and 8 per cent were victimized by three cyber bulling behaviours.
Cyber bullying, said the researchers, is a growing problem, especially among adolescents. Hurtful and harassing messages, rumours, inappropriate or fake photos and videos can be easily and frequently posted anonymously in text messages emails or on social networking sites, making them hard to avoid. Messages from cyber bullies are often hard to trace and difficult to delete.
Robert D. Sege, M.D., Ph.D., professor of paediatrics at Boston University noted, 'This is an important study because it contributes to what we already know about cyber bullying. It's pretty clear if you are cyber bullied, you are more apt to be vulnerable to a cluster of non-adaptive behaviours. I found it particularly interesting that if teens are cyber bullied, they are more apt to become depressed, and conversely, if they are depressed, they are more apt to be bullied.'
The findings appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
