One third of US teens experience cyberbullying

Stephen Withers
Friday, 29 June 2007 02:44

Your IT - Home IT

About 32 percent of teenage Internet users in the US say they have been subjected to cyberbullying according to a report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Most commonly, this involves passing on private messages, spreading rumours, sending threatening or aggressive messages, or posting embarrassing pictures.

"In the past, the materials of bullying would have been whispered, shouted or passed around. Now, with a few clicks, a photo, video or a conversation can be shared with hundreds via email or millions through a website, online profile or blog posting," the report notes.

Victims are more likely to be older girls, social network (eg, MySpace, Facebook) users, and those who use the Internet daily.

That said, a majority of respondents - even among those that have been subjected to cyberbullying -  thought bullying and harassment happens more offline than online.

Download the report from Pew's web site.