A recent study indicates that 14.4% of children in Cyprus have experienced cyberbullying at least once or twice in recent months, as per the findings from the international Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The survey, which took place between November 2021 and April 2022, included a sample of 4,818 students aged 11, 13, and 15. It explored three primary facets of bullying: school bullying, cyberbullying, and physical fighting.
Bullying at School:
In Cyprus, 4.3% of students admitted to frequently bullying others at school, compared to 6% internationally. Boys reported higher participation rates than girls, both locally and globally. Conversely, 7.8% of Cypriot students reported being victims of bullying at school frequently, aligning closely with the international average of 11%. Notably, the highest victimization rates were observed among 13-year-olds, a trend that deviates from the global pattern where bullying tends to decrease with age. Interestingly, girls from higher socio-economic backgrounds in Cyprus reported higher victimization rates (11%) compared to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds (7%), which is opposite to the international trend.
Cyberbullying:
Regarding cyberbullying, 9.5% of Cypriot students admitted to engaging in this behavior, slightly lower than the international average of 12%. Cyberbullying was more prevalent among 15-year-olds and students from lower socio-economic backgrounds in Cyprus, which contrasts with global data showing 13-year-olds as the most affected group. About 14.4% of Cypriot students reported being victims of cyberbullying, which is just slightly below the international average of 16%. No significant gender differences were observed in Cyprus.
Physical Fights:
The survey also found that 10.6% of Cypriot students had been involved in physical fights three or more times over the past year, aligning with the international average of 10%. Boys in Cyprus, as in most countries, were more likely to be involved in fights, with 14% reporting participation compared to 6% of girls. The rate of physical fights decreased with age and showed no correlation with socio-economic status in Cyprus.
