Effects of Cyber Bullying Same For Rich and Poor

Cyber bullying is a growing menace for kids and is a major concern for children coming from all sections of society, a new study reveals.

Researchers at the Michigan State University found that cyber bullying not just affects the rich but also teens belonging to poor and high crime neighborhood. The statistics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show that nearly 30 percent of the U.S. youth have faced bullying either as a victim or a bully. 

According to Thomas J Holt, MSU associated Professor of Criminal Justice; there exists absolutely no gap between people having access to online technologies and those who don't. This is referred to as 'digital divide'.

"We found neighborhood conditions that are indicative of poverty and crime are significant predictor for bullying-not only for physical and verbal bullying but cyber bullying as well," Holy said. "This is a very unique and somewhat surprising finding."

Victims of cyber bullying suffer from a greater risk of both academic and mental health problems and in worst scenarios, suicide. Though cyber bullying is less prevalent than traditional bullying, it continues to be a major problem. The Cyber bullying Research Center claims that in the year 2011, an estimated of 2.2 million U.S. students were harassed or threatened online. This number is much greater than the 1.5 million students who were harassed in 2009.

To proceed with the study the researchers examined the results of 2,000 middle and high school students. The survey results showed that poor and crime infected neighborhood was a strong predictor of physical, verbal and online bullying. 

Lowering bullying incidents in low income communities is possible only when teachers and school officials play a significant role in preventing bullying in real and virtual spaces. 

Public campaigns aimed at cyber bullying should be emphasized in schools and libraries.

"Such a message is vital to ensure all forms of bullying are given equal emphasis," Holt said.

The finding was documented in the Journal of Criminal Justice.