How common is cyberbullying among children in Australia?

eSafety surveyed 3,454 Australian children aged 10 to 171 years to determine the prevalence of online experiences and harms, including cyberbullying.2

Key findings

We found that cyberbullying experiences are common

More than 1 in 2 children (53%) had been cyberbullied at some point.

38% had experienced cyberbullying in the past 12 months.3

Trans and gender-diverse children are more likely to be cyberbullied

81%of trans and gender-diverse children had experienced cyberbullying.

(69% had experienced cyberbullying in the past 12 months.)4

Girls are more likely than boys to be cyberbullied

56% of girls had experienced cyberbullying, compared with 50% of boys.

(40% of girls had been cyberbullied in the past 12 months, compared with 35% of boys.)

Cyberbullying is more common among teens than younger children

Children are bullied in diverse ways online

38% had someone say hurtful things to them online.

(23% in the past 12 months).

35% were purposely left out of an online activity.

(23% in the past 12 months).

25% had humiliating or hurtful things said about them online.

(14% in the past 12 months).

18% had humiliating or hurtful lies spread about them online.

(9% in the past 12 months).

17% had their private messages, information or secrets shared.

(9% in the past 12 months).

16% were sent or tagged in offensive or upsetting photos or videos.

(9% in the past 12 months).

13% were told online to hurt or kill themselves, or that they should die.

(7% in the past 12 months).

11% had humiliating or hurtful photos or videos of them shared online.

(5% in the past 12 months).

11% had someone say that they were going to hurt or kill them or told other people to hurt or kill them.

(5% in the past 12 months).

8% had someone share their phone number, email or home address online.

(4% in the past 12 months).

7% had humiliating or hurtful fake photos or videos made of them and shared online.

(3% in the past 12 months).

7% had a fake online identity or profile made of them, without their permission.

(4% in the past 12 months).

Helpful resources

eSafety’s Parents section has information for parents and carers, including advice about how to help children if they are being cyberbullied.

eSafety’s Kids and Young People sections also have advice about what to do if someone is being mean to you online and bullying online.

Educators can explore Spotlight on cyberbullying for resources to help develop a whole-school approach to the issue.

This article and the notes can be found in full - here

Warm regards,

Renee, Tim, Pi & Carla

The Counselling Team

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