Online bullying declined among teens, young adults

A study conducted by MTV and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that online bullying has decreased since 2011.

In September, 489 participants aged 14 to 17 years and 808 aged 18 to 24 years were interviewed. Forty-nine percent stated they have experienced digital abuse vs. 56% in 2011. Fifteen percent of participants reported they have experienced someone using email, instant messaging or texting to spread rumors about them, a decrease from 21% reported in 2011. There also was a 30% decline in reports of impersonation by logging into someone’s email or social media account. The survey shows there was about a 25% decrease in spying by logging into personal email and/or social media accounts without permission. Overall, 26 of 27 forms of digital abuse tracked in the study have declined since 2011, though not all of the declines were statistically significant.

Seventy-two percent of young people stated that deleting a social networking profile was an effective response to digital abuse. Nearly 50% of teens and young people considered retaliation an effective response to online bullying in 2011 vs. 30% in 2013. Twenty percent said retaliation made the situation worse.

“Sexting,” or the sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cellphone, has declined since 2011 as well. About one-quarter of young people report they have sent or received “sext” messages vs. 30% in 2011. Of the participants who have shared naked pictures or videos of themselves, 66% said they sent naked pictures to their boyfriend or girlfriend, and fewer than 15% have shared naked pictures with someone they only know online, marking a 50% decrease since 2009.

Although fewer young people participate in sexting, digital dating abuse has remained fairly consistent, according to the study. About 40% of participants in a relationship experience some form of digital abuse; 21% report their partner has read their text messages without their permission; and nearly 10% state their partner has called them names, put them down or said mean things to them on the Internet or their cellphone.

Overall, online bullying has decreased and awareness has increased. The study found that 72% of participants believe digital abuse is “a big problem for society and should be addressed,” an increase from a reported 65% in 2011.