Encompassing the views of 1,512 young people in England, some of the key findings in the study were:
- Cyber bullying is on the increase in England and has affected 38 per cent of young people
- Abusive emails (26 per cent) and text messages (24 per cent) are the most prominent method of cyber bullying.
- The majority (56 per cent) of respondents felt that the home was the location of cyber bullying.
- 28 per cent of young people had not informed anyone of their experience. Of those who did confide in anyone, they chose to inform friends and family
- 78 per cent feared that cyber bullying was increasing due to the evolving nature of technology.
- 46 per cent feel current initiatives are insufficient in targeting their needs, prevention, protection and empowerment.
The key recommendations from the study were:
- The Government should ring fence funds for sustained anti-bullying work within the communities to counter the high level of bullying that is still prevalent.
- Charities and education establishments supported to provide skills training and support for young people to lead age specific tailored intervention programmes for example the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Programme
- Government led commitment to create one central anti-bullying resource and best available practice for all young people
- Government led commitment to create one central anti-bullying resource and best available practice for all parents and adults working with young people
- Internet and mobile phone providers to provide visible and accessible cyber safeguards including improved safety features, more regulation and codes of conduct and to work with parents to achieve this
- Central government to hold schools and youth organisations to account for implementing and regularly reviewing cyber bullying policies
The report was commissioned by the Diana Award.
Find out more
(6 votes)
