Cyberbullying and cyberbullying of young people is not a rare phenomenon but a daily occurrence, according to a Commission study Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL).
The Child Welfare Association asked young people about cyberbullying and harassment through an online survey in the fall of 2020. More than 1,100 responses were received.
The answers showed that young people in Finland take Internet harassment seriously. They also wanted adults to take social media and Internet bullying seriously and asked them for more information and support by addressing the problem and its potential consequences in schools.
According to the study, harassment online and on social media is difficult to avoid, and young people have negative encounters almost daily.
"Abusive treatment of people and hostile interactions are common on social media, apps, and gaming communities. Although not personally targeted, many find the treatment of others distressing," Rauna Rahja, the association’s media education planner, said in a press release.
Malicious comments and name calls are common
The results of the study show that the most common forms of cyberbullying among young people were nasty comments, calling names or verbal bashing. The most serious cases involved death threats, rape and sexual harassment.
The majority of respondents believe that cyberbullying and personal bullying are equally serious crimes. While many find offensive or threatening behavior online shocking, there are also those who see it as a necessary evil and part of internet use.
"However, I welcome the fact that more than half of the young people surveyed believe that their own actions can reduce harassment and exploitation. 71% of respondents believe that the performance of each individual decreases as they fight these situations," MLL School’s co-operation planner Paula Aalto said.
Source: The Nordic Page