Researchers from the University of Oxford, Swansea, Birmingham, and from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust conducted a meta-analysis of studies published between 1996 and 2017 which examined any association between cyberbullying involvement and self-harm, or suicidal behaviours in a sample aged under 25 years.
A population of over 150,000 children and young people were covered. The study concluded that victims of cyberbullying are at a greater risk than nonvictims of both self-harm and suicidal behaviors. And, to a lesser extent, perpetrators of cyberbullying are at risk of suicidal behaviors and suicidal ideation when compared with nonperpetrators.
The researchers recommend that policy makers and schools should prioritize the inclusion of cyberbullying involvement in programs to prevent traditional bullying.
In future studies, the type of cyberbullying involvement, frequency, and gender should be assessed.
Read the full paper: 'Self-Harm, Suicidal Behaviours, and Cyberbullying in Children and Young People: Systematic Review', published in the Journal of Medical Internet Reserach', April 2018.
media coverage
Read: 'Cyberbullying makes young people twice as likely to self harm or attempt suicide' in The Telegraph, 22 April 2018
Read: 'Cyberbullying victims may be twice as likely to self harm and show suicidal behaviours' in Psych Central