41 per cent of US teens are bullied via mobile
January 23, 2012 - Openet
While 25 per cent admit to being a mobile cyber bully.
Cyber bullying first came to light a few years ago. A method of attack used by schoolchildren to take physical playground intimidation to a new platform with email, social networks and mobile.
Software provider Openet surveyed over 500 13-17 year-olds that own a mobile phone and found that cyber bullying was a common problem across the board.
Results show 41 per cent had been bullied via mobile, while a quarter confessed to being cyber bullies and just one per cent send texts of a sexual nature (sext).
23 per cent were high level users sending more than 1,800 text messages each month, and of that bracket 46 per cent get cyber bullied compared to 23 per cent of standard users. Perhaps the extra messaging is a result of the user talking issues through with friends, or an attempt to stand up against the bullying.
Further results show that 94 per cent of high level users are using their phone in bed when they should be counting sheep, compared to 70 per cent of standard users.
74 per cent of high level users also operate their phones during school lessons, compared to just 41 per cent of standard users.
Michael Manzo, CMO of Openet, says: "The proliferation of mobile access cuts both ways for teenagers. While this age group needs an effective way to communicate with parents and friends, mobile devices can also serve as a gateway to behaviour that is damaging for both the victim and the perpetrator.
"While legislation against cyber-bullying, along with parental supervision, are a good start to preventing this activity, wireless carriers also bear a responsibility to help ensure that parents can monitor and control their children's mobile phone access and usage."
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