Cyberbullying: New Evidence Shows Cyberbullying Victims Suffer High Risk for Depression

Victims of electronic harassment experience an increase in depression and hopelessness, according to a new study released Tuesday by The National Institutes of Health (NIH). Based on information obtained from over 7,000 American students, researchers also found that cyberbullying victims showed a higher rate for depression than face-to-face bullying victims, most likely due to the anonymity associated with online interaction.

The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, specifically examined students enrolled in grades 6 to 10, an important point in time when children are working to develop their self-identity and self-esteem. One of the study’s three researchers, all of whom come from the Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevent Research at NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, said that bullying hinders a student’s ability to achieve academic success, may stunt the development of a child’s social skills, and can also interfere with an individual’s general sense of well being.

It is important to note that an earlier study conducted by the same team found that students were less prone to initiate bullying behavior or to be picked on if they had a nurturing home environment with supportive parents or caregivers. This new study’s results point to a need for close monitoring of a child’s computer and cell phone activity, and for cyberbullying victims to have access to appropriate mental health care.

Signs of depression analyzed in NIH’s study included: overall sadness, irritability, appetite changes (loss or increase), a feeling of hopelessness about the future, noticeable sleeping changes (excessive amounts or not enough), and problems concentrating on school work. More information about depression and available treatment options can be found at the National Institute of Mental Health.

To download a FREE cyberbullying poster for your community or school and help promote cyberbullying awareness and prevention, click here.

Interested in more? Follow us (@SafetyWeb) on Twitter and like us on Facebook!