Cyberbullying is fast becoming the most prevalent form of bullying worldwide. As kids spend more and more time on their phones, “traditional” bullying is slowly becoming a thing of the past and teenage US movies. 

Jokes aside: 

Any form of bullying is traumatizing, and we should all work together to reduce it as much as possible. To do so, we first have to get a hold of the situation on the ground. 

To do this, we decided to focus on cyberbullying statistics from Canada. We’ll see how prevalent this type of behaviour is and what its consequences are. We’ll also compare global statistics with Canadian bullying statistics. 

Without any further ado, let’s tackle the details:

2024 Updates:

Shocking Cyberbullying Statistics Canada (Editor’s Choice)

• 35% of Canadian adolescents experience bullying.
• 47% of Canadian parents believe their child is being bullied.
• 20% of US students aged 12 to 18 experienced bullying.
• 7% of Canadians experience cyberbullying.
• 1 in 10 Canadian children experiences online harassment. 
• 17% of Canadians aged 18 to 24 suffer from cyberbullying. 
• 89% of Canadian teachers believe cyberbullying is the number one safety issue in public schools.
• Cyberbullying has eight main forms.

Global Statistics of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a severe issue that is targeting children and young adults across the globe. To help you get a better understanding of the situation, we compiled this list. Let’s get into it.

1. The history of cyberbullying started with the progress of technology in the 1990s, especially with the appearance of the second generation of cell phones.

(Source: Elon.edu)

By definition, cyberbullying involves modern technology. In the early 2000s, cyberbullying on social media became a thing. It’s safe to say that social media perpetuated the phenomenon because a lot of people (especially teens) are heavily invested in social networks. And it’s incredibly easy to demean and embarrass someone online, even more so than in the real world. 

What’s more:

Cyberbullying in schools is also a thing. With children using smartphones more and more, novel forms of harassment are blended with traditional bullying in the classroom and other school facilities. 

2. Globally, one in three children suffers from bullying.

(Source: StopBullying.gov, UNESCO)

Naturally, rates vary across the world. In Tajikistan, bullying is quite rare, apparently, with only 7% of youth reporting such experiences. In Samoa, on the other hand, the rates of bullying go up to 74%. Additionally, 44% of Afghani adolescents experience bullying, compared to 24% of young Argentinians and 26% of young Tanzanians. 

Now:

These figures can be somewhat confusing because some of these countries are pretty poor, with dysfunctional educational systems and a lack of recognition for bullying altogether. In Tanzania or Afghanistan, for instance, the whole concept of bullying often has a different meaning than in the West, simply because the livelihood and the very existence of people are at stake. 

In such an atmosphere, bullying really doesn’t bear too much weight. 

3. Around 20% of US students aged 12-18 experienced bullying, cyberbullying stats reveal.

(Source: StopBullying.gov)

The US is perhaps the most sensitive state when it comes to bullying. There are many reasons for this, including the multitude of school shootings in the last few decades.  Some studies have suggested that many of these shootings were caused by a vicious circle of bullying. 

The US also has the most detailed stats when it comes to bullying specifics:

• 43% of bullying incidents happen in hallways or stairwells.
• 42% occur in classrooms.
• 22% outside school grounds
• 12% in bathrooms

Only 46% of victims actually notify an adult about the incident. Additionally, US cyberbullying statistics show that around 15% of students experienced cyber harassment on the internet or via text messages.

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Canadian Cyberbullying Statistics

Now, what’s really going on in Canada? Should we take a look at this infographic below to find out?

4. According to Canada bullying statistics, 35% of teens suffer from bullying

(Source: UNESCO)

More than a third of all adolescents in the Great White North experience bullying in at least one of its many forms. It might come as a surprise, but boys are more frequently bullied (38%) than girls (30%). However, girls are more likely to experience indirect forms of bullying (spreading rumours, gossip, using social influence to isolate someone, etc.). 

5. 47% of Canadian parents believe their child is being bullied.

(Source:  Safe Canada)

As you can see, this Canada bullying statistic stands at odds with what children themselves have to say. However, we rarely encounter invariabilities and straightforward answers in psychological and sociological research. 

6. 7% of adult Canadians experience cyberbullying. 

(Source: 150 Stat Can)

Aggressive emails and text messages were involved in 73% of cyberbullying incidents. 55% of victims were targeted by hateful comments. 

7. 17% of Canadian young adults aged 18 to 24 suffer from cyberbullying, compared to 5% of those aged 25+.

(Source: 150 Stat Can)

According to official Canadian statistics on cyberbullying, age is one of the main factors affecting the rates of cyberbullying. Relationship status is also a statistically significant factor affecting the rates of cyberbullying. 

Check this out:

15% of single internet users experience cyberbullying, compared to 4% of married people. Using chat sites and dating sites also increases the likelihood of being bullied online. 

8. According to statistics on cyber bullying, 18% of homosexual people are being bullied online.

(Source: 150 Stat Can)

This is also true for almost one-quarter of Canadian bisexuals (24%). Clearly, sexual orientation also has a massive effect on cyberbullying rates. 

9. Individuals with activity limitations are more likely to experience cyberbullying. 

(Source: 150 Stat Can)

The Great White North has a reputation for being an inclusive country that respects people with disabilities. However, cyberbullying statistics from Canada show disabled people still experience more cyberbullying, and 22% of people with activity limitations are victims.

10. 20% of victims of violent crime have experienced online bullying.

(Source: 150 Stat Can)

This is a very worrying trend that is evident all around the world. Victims of sexual abuse are even more likely to experience cyberbullying (30%). Unfortunately, these examples of victim-blaming highlight complex psychological dynamics between perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. It’s sometimes easier to identify with the aggressor than sympathize with the victim. 

11. According to Canadian cyberbullying statistics, 9% of Canadian adults from a household with children are aware of a case of cyberbullying against one or more of these children.

(Source: 150Stat Can)

2% are aware of at least one incident that involved children being sexually lured into unwanted contacts with strangers online. 

It gets worse:

74% reported aggressive emails and messages as the main method of cyberbullies. Additionally, 16% of adults who reported online bullying in their household noticed that someone impersonated or masqueraded as their child online. 

12. 71% of adults aware of a case of cyberbullying stated the victim was female.

(Source: 150 Stat Can)

Once again, these cyberbullying statistics from Canada come from reports from adults rather than children themselves. This may mean that the data is more reliable and valid because victims of abuse, especially children, sometimes tend to give inaccurate reports of what had happened. 

13. 89% of teachers believe that cyberbullying in Canada is the leading safety issue in public schools.

(Source: Canadian Red Cross)

In contrast, teachers viewed traditional forms of harassment and bullying as less pressing matters. This should come as no surprise – in 2010, 33 junior high and high schools in Toronto reported that nearly half (49.5%) of surveyed students had been bullied online.

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Types of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying comes in various forms and shapes. Let’s learn about them.

14. There are eight main forms of cyberbullying.

(Source: Tandfonline) 

A 2015 article published in the academic journal Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law identified the following forms of cyberbullying:

• Cyberbullying harassment – sending a lot of messages to someone who doesn’t want to receive them.
• Cyberstalking – stalking someone’s online activity, including on social media
• Denigration – usually involves derogatory comments
• Happy slapping – filming embarrassing scenes to those who are filmed, and subsequent distribution of such videos.
• Exclusion – purposeful exclusion of certain members from online groups.
• Outing and trickery – deceiving the victim in order to gain sensitive personal information.
• Impersonation and masquerading – posing as someone else online
• Indirect threat – involves the threat of physical harm

At the same time, these are usual cyberbullying examples. Certain studies show that happy slapping may be the most psychologically harmful to victims of cyberbullying. 

15. Two main forms of cyberbullying – visual and verbal – have been shown to form two highly associated factors.

(Source: Tandfonline)

What this means is that those who experience one form of cyberbullying are likely to also experience other forms. There’s also a connection between traditional bullying and cyberbullying. 

Here’s the thing:

A peer-reviewed study published in the European Journal of Developmental Psychology has shown that girls experience more written (verbal) cyberbullying. Once again, strong family bonds play a protective role against cyberbullying. 

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Effects of Cyberbullying

Are you aware of the effects caused by cyberbullying? Read up!

16. Effects of cyberbullying statistics from Canada reveal four main issues.

(Source: Red Cross Canada)

These effects are:

• Decreased interest in school activities
• Absenteeism
• Bad academic performance and lower grades
• Skipping classes, dropping out, and truancy

Moreover, students with lower academic achievement levels or negative feelings about the school environment are more likely to be involved in bullying.

17. The American Society for the Positive Care of Children enumerates six main consequences of cyberbullying.

(Source: AmericanSPCC)

These are: 

• Depression and anxiety
• Reduced feelings of self-confidence and self-worth
• Sleep difficulties
• Physical issues
• Increased suicide risk
• Eating disorders and substance use disorders

18. 65% of students believe cyberbullying will stop if they simply sit and wait it out.

(Source: Emerald)

Needless to say, avoidance strategy, is rarely effective. It mainly allows cyberbullying to continue happening. 

These cyber bullying stats show that boys are more oriented towards retaliation and physical revenge. On the other hand, girls are more likely to change their behaviour in order to avoid cyberbullying. 

The worrying this is:

Very few students reported cyberbullying incidents to school staff. Additionally, only 36% talked to their parents about cyberbullying incidents. 

And on that note:

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Final Thoughts

As statistics about cyberbullying show, this form of bullying is quite prevalent. As young people in particular are spending more and more time on social networks and on the internet in general, it’s quite likely that cyberbullying will only increase in the years to come. 

What’s more:

Cyberbullying stories, often shared by celebrities (especially female athletes), are becoming more common. 

On the bright side, more people are beginning to realize this kind of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. However, we still have a long way to go, as the line between illegal and legal in the sphere of cyberbullying laws is still blurry.