Cyberbullying: Issues Increase Anxiety Risk Among Adolescents

Cyberbullying occurs frequently among adolescents and can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, particularly with the onset of adulthood.

New findings published in JAMA Pediatrics examined the potential effects of cyberbullying by reviewing 36 studies. Researchers found that nearly a quarter of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 said they were bullied via social media, with such exposure significantly increasing the risk of depression among the population.

"When children and youth are cyberbullied, they are often reluctant to tell anyone," Michele Hamm, lead author of the review, said via HealthDay. "Prevention and management efforts are likely necessary at multiple levels, involving adolescents, parents, teachers and health care professionals."

Findings revealed that children exposed to cyberbullying were much more likely to be depressed. Furthermore, researchers found that this kind of bullying mostly arose from relationships and that girls were more likely than boys to be victims.

However, the researchers found no clear links between cyberbullying and suicide, despite publicized cases suggesting a strong correlation.

"The associations between cyberbullying and anxiety and self-harm were inconsistent," Hamm said via HealthDay. "Except for one, all of the studies that we found were only looking at relationships at one point in time, so it isn't known whether there is a long-term impact of cyberbullying on kids' mental health."

However, Hamm maintains that cyberbullying can be particularly detrimental, suggesting that parents openly communicate with their children about any potential problems. 

"Adolescents are often unaware that anything can be done about cyberbullying, so efforts should be made to increase education regarding how to address it and who to tell, focusing on both recipients and bystanders," she concluded.

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