Children in India reported the third highest online bullying rate, after China and Singapore, among the 25 countries surveyed under a recently commissioned project by Microsoft Corporation to understand the global pervasiveness of online bullying.
The survey report released this week spoke to 7,600 children between the age group of 8-17 years. “What is seen as cyber bullying can vary between different cultures, and even among different individuals. In addition, cyber bullying, as a term, is not recognized worldwide. To address this, the study explored the issue by asking children about negative experiences they’ve had online — from their point of view (being called mean names, being teased, etc.). While such experiences may not be viewed as bullying by all who experience it, these behaviors may be considered by some as having potentially adverse effects,” noted the report.
In India, the survey indicated that 22% of children reported mean or unfriendly treatment, 29% were made fun of or teased and 25% were called mean names. The survey also found that 70% of children said that they know a lot or something about online bullying, while 79% were very or somewhat worried about the phenomenon. 77% reported being bullied online and/or offline. “India is one of the few countries where the rates of online and offline bullying were equal,” the survey said.
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http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_cyberbullying-social-media-s-darker-side_1712080
