Cyberbullying affects one in three young people globally

A UNICEF poll reveals that one in three young people across 30 countries have been victims of online bullying, with one in five reporting they have skipped school due to cyberbullying and violence.

In the Philippines, data indicates that cyberviolence affects nearly half of children aged 13 to 17. Among Filipino children, one-third of cyberviolence involves verbal abuse via the internet or mobile phones, while one-fourth involves sexual messages. Research shows that while more females receive sexual messages, males are twice as likely as females to report having nude images or sexual activities shared online.

Common platforms for such behavior include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. The impact of cyberbullying includes physical and emotional harm, academic decline, and social withdrawal. Regarding responsibility for addressing the issue, opinions are divided among young people: 32 percent believe governments are primarily responsible, 31 percent believe young people are responsible, and 29 percent point to internet companies.