There is no shared definition for cyberbullying at European level. Nonetheless, it is generally accepted that it consists of repeated verbal and psychological harassment and happens through the use of electronic and digital means. Intentionality and repetition are always present, done with the intention of causing harm, often in a repetitive way and with an imbalance of power between victims and perpetrators. Those that perpetuate attacks are supported by a sense of impunity, anonymity and lack of accountability, as they have the ability to easily reach an endless audience with no geographic and time boundaries.
The devastating impact of cyberbullying for its victims is recognised by the United Nations, which understands it as a serious manifestation of online violence. Cyberbullying affects a large percentage of children and teenagers and studies show that this number has grown year on year as the usage of mobile phones increases among younger children. Its consequences can be devastating and lifelong for the victims and families, but also to the school communities that do not tackle problems as soon as they emerge. Cyberbullying often leads to a lowering self-esteem, increasing depression and feelings of powerlessness and in many cases, its incidences are underestimated and undervalued by its victims, making them harder to address from the beginning.
This challenge seeks innovative solutions, approaches and projects that have a digital or mobile base and which can prevent, raise awareness, offer support, promote reporting of incidents and help perpetrators to understand the effects of their behaviour. Solutions that include multiple stakeholders like parents, teachers and children and teenagers and that favor prevention over punition are welcome. They can be or include educational materials and tools accessible online; peer-advocacy sessions and projects; teenagers as active agents; filters and reporting tools; among others.
Cyberbullying is a global issue. In a study carried by Microsoft, China emerged as by far the country where more children suffered from these threats (around 70%). It was followed by Singapore (58%), India (53%) and Argentina (52%).
The Cyberbullying Research Center in the United States has found that about 28% of teenager students have experienced cyberbullying while 10% admit to have done cyberbullying to others.
In Spain, up to 81% of children between 8 and 17 years admit to be worried about cyberbullying and 19% admit to harass or have harassed someone online. One in each seven students in Catalonia say to have been harassed in school.
The easy access to the victims through mobile technologies, mean that 71,8% of them suffer cyberbullying every day for a significant extension of time, between a month and a year for 40,7% of them and for more than a year for 38,1% of them. Over 92% of cyberbullying victims are left with psychological issues like anxiety and lack of self-esteem.
A 2014 poll done across Europe showed that 55% of children victims of cyberbullying became depressed as a result of it, 38% considered suicide, and 35% considered harming themselves. In addition to this, 80% of cyberbullying victims are also victims of traditional bullying. The most critical age for both genders is between 13 and 14 years old across most of the European countries.
In Spain, 97% of teenagers between 14 and 17 years old use social media every day and those over 15 years old spend more than two and half hours online every day. Hyperconnected teens, like those who spend more than 3 hours every day online, are 110% more likely to be a victim of cyberbullying, compared to those who do not spend as much time on social networks.
Mobile phone is the tool used most of the time to harass others, being WhatsApp mentioned as the application used in 81% of cases in Spain to carry cyberbullying. Mobile phone cameras are also very problematic. As much as 10% of students feel threatened, embarrassed or uncomfortable by a photo taken of them using a mobile phone camera, as they have little control on how it will be used.