The institution “Alliance Against Cybermobbing” has just presented a study in Germany[1]. The study consists of online surveys conducted between May and July 2024 with 637 teachers, 1061 parents and 4213 pupils throughout Germany.

The results show that bullying of girls and young women in cyberspace continues to increase. Some 18.5% of students between 7 and 20 years of age report having suffered from it, which in absolute numbers represents more than two million schoolchildren. Previous studies had detected 16.7% in 2022 and 12.7% in 2017. Educational institutions and teachers are totally overwhelmed by the problem.

The consequences of this bullying are noticeable both psychologically and physically. Sufferers report headaches or stomach aches, anxiety, a sinking feeling or depression. Fifty-seven percent of the victims say they are hurt, 43% react with anger and almost a third say they are anxious. Thirteen percent report having resorted to alcohol, pills or drugs and 26% admit to having suicidal thoughts.

School-based prevention has proven to be effective. Those centres that implement this type of measures have fewer cases. Although there is some activity in this direction (55% say that there is some preventive activity in their centre, 7% more than in the last survey), victim support remains an unresolved issue (respondents who say that it exists have decreased by 9% – from 37% to 28% – since the last study).

Parents acknowledge their responsibility, but say they are overwhelmed by the problem. The institution promoting the study has published a mechanism to advise parents based on the knowledge of eight experts in the field.

There are four lines of prevention proposed by the Alliance Against Cybermobbing:

• It is necessary to maintain and intensify the prevention work carried out up to now and to start it in primary schools. Children should be aware of the environment they will encounter on the Internet. It is essential to improve the training of teachers in this area, receiving support from experts outside the centre.
• Parents should get on the Internet and networks with their children as soon as their children can begin to access them. It is important that they receive support from the municipalities and schools (with specific programs and activities).
• Counselling and support centres should be provided for victims, as well as anonymous “hot lines” to which they can turn for support.
• Politics should also contribute by passing a law to combat cyberbullying, as has existed in Austria since 2016. It should also be provided with the necessary resources for effective law enforcement (judges, magistrates and police).

[1] Vid. PM-Cybermobbing-Studie-2024-fin.pdf (buendnis-gegen-cybermobbing.de)

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