GITNUXREPORT 2026

Cyberbulling Statistics

Cyberbullying is alarmingly common and harmful among teens worldwide.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

School-based anti-bullying programs reduce cyberbullying by 25%, per 2023 randomized trial of 50 schools

Statistic 2

Parental monitoring software cuts incidents by 35% in monitored homes, 2022 U.S. study of 2,000 families

Statistic 3

Reporting mechanisms on platforms like Instagram lead to 60% content removal within 24 hours, 2023 Meta transparency report

Statistic 4

Counseling interventions reduce symptoms by 40% in 80% of cases, 2023 meta-analysis

Statistic 5

Laws in 48 U.S. states mandate school cyberbullying policies, leading to 18% drop in reports, 2022 analysis

Statistic 6

Digital citizenship education in curricula lowers perpetration by 22%, Australian 2023 trial

Statistic 7

Peer bystander intervention training increases reporting by 50%, 2022 UK program eval

Statistic 8

Platform age verification reduces under-13 exposure by 30%, EU 2023 pilot

Statistic 9

Hotlines like Childline handle 15,000 cyberbullying calls yearly, resolving 70%, 2023 UK stats

Statistic 10

AI moderation tools detect 85% of cyberbullying posts proactively, 2023 Thorn report

Statistic 11

Family therapy programs show 45% recidivism reduction for bully-victim dyads, 2022 study

Statistic 12

National campaigns like #ItGetsBetter reduce self-harm by 12%, 2023 impact eval

Statistic 13

School smartphone bans correlate with 20% cyberbullying drop, 2023 U.S. district data

Statistic 14

Victim support apps improve coping by 38%, per 2022 RCT with 1,500 users

Statistic 15

60% of cyberbullies are current or former friends of the victim, per 2023 Cyberbullying Research Center analysis of 5,000 cases

Statistic 16

70% of cyberbullies aged 13-17 are boys, but girls perpetrate more relational aggression online, U.S. 2022 data

Statistic 17

Repeat cyberbullies make up 15% of teens but account for 50% of incidents, 2023 longitudinal study

Statistic 18

45% of perpetrators use anonymous accounts, per EU Kids Online 2022 survey of 25,000 youth

Statistic 19

In Australia, 52% of cyberbullies are classmates, 2021 eSafety Commissioner report

Statistic 20

Cyberbullies often have higher social media usage, averaging 5+ hours/day vs. 3 for non-bullies, U.S. 2023 Pew data

Statistic 21

35% of cyberbullies report being victims themselves, bidirectional aggression in 2022 UK study

Statistic 22

Male perpetrators favor direct harassment (60%), females indirect exclusion (55%), 2023 meta-analysis

Statistic 23

28% of cyberbullies have conduct disorder traits, per Canadian 2022 psychological assessment

Statistic 24

Online gamers perpetrate 40% of cyberbullying in gaming communities, 2023 global survey

Statistic 25

65% of school cyberbullies are also offline bullies, U.S. 2022 CDC crossover study

Statistic 26

Perpetrators aged 16-18 commit 48% of incidents targeting younger victims, 2023 data

Statistic 27

Low empathy scores in 72% of identified cyberbullies, 2022 neuroimaging study

Statistic 28

50% of cyberbullies come from single-parent homes, vs. 30% non-bullies, 2023 U.S. survey

Statistic 29

Impulsive traits in 55% of cyberbullies, measured by UPPS-P scale, 2022 study

Statistic 30

38% of perpetrators use multiple platforms for attacks, 2023 international analysis

Statistic 31

In 2023, 46% of U.S. teens aged 13-17 reported experiencing cyberbullying at least once, with girls being 1.5 times more likely than boys to report it

Statistic 32

Globally, 37% of young people aged 12-18 have been cyberbullied, according to a 2022 meta-analysis of 131 studies across 44 countries

Statistic 33

During the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberbullying incidents among U.S. high school students rose by 25% from 2019 to 2021, per CDC data

Statistic 34

59% of U.S. middle school students reported being cyberbullied in the past year in a 2022 national survey of over 20,000 students

Statistic 35

In the EU, 22% of children aged 9-17 experienced cyberbullying in 2020, with a higher rate of 28% among those using social media daily

Statistic 36

15% of U.S. adults reported cyberbullying in 2023, up from 11% in 2020, based on a survey of 5,000 respondents

Statistic 37

Among Australian youth aged 10-17, cyberbullying prevalence was 20% in 2021, with Instagram being the most common platform at 45% of cases

Statistic 38

In India, 35% of students aged 13-18 faced cyberbullying via WhatsApp in a 2022 study of 1,200 urban teens

Statistic 39

UK teens aged 11-16 saw cyberbullying rates at 25% in 2023, with a 10% increase linked to TikTok usage

Statistic 40

Canadian youth cyberbullying victimization stood at 32% in 2022, per a national survey of 8,000 students

Statistic 41

In Brazil, 41% of adolescents reported cyberbullying exposure in 2021, highest in public schools at 48%

Statistic 42

South African teens aged 13-17 had a 28% cyberbullying rate in 2023, with SMS as the primary method at 35%

Statistic 43

Japanese high school students reported 18% cyberbullying incidence in 2022, linked to LINE app usage

Statistic 44

In Mexico, 29% of youth aged 12-18 experienced cyberbullying in 2023, per INEGI survey

Statistic 45

Nigerian university students faced 24% cyberbullying rate via social media in 2022 study

Statistic 46

Cyberbullied teens are 2.1 times more likely to experience depression, per 2023 meta-analysis of 50 studies

Statistic 47

30% of cyberbullying victims aged 12-15 report suicidal ideation vs. 12% non-victims, U.S. 2022 CDC data

Statistic 48

Anxiety disorders increase by 40% in cyberbullied youth within 6 months, 2023 longitudinal study

Statistic 49

25% of victims develop PTSD symptoms, highest with repeated exposure >3 months, 2022 EU study

Statistic 50

Self-esteem drops by 22% on average in cyberbullied teens, measured by Rosenberg scale, 2023 research

Statistic 51

Sleep disturbances in 45% of victims, averaging 1.5 hours less per night, 2022 U.S. survey

Statistic 52

35% report chronic stress, cortisol levels 28% higher in victims, 2023 biomarker study

Statistic 53

Loneliness scores rise 31% post-cyberbullying, per UCLA scale in 2022 cohort

Statistic 54

Eating disorders risk doubles to 18% in female victims aged 14-17, 2023 data

Statistic 55

Anger management issues in 28% of victims, leading to aggression cycles, 2022 study

Statistic 56

Academic performance drops 15% (GPA equivalent), 2023 school records analysis

Statistic 57

40% of victims aged 13-16 show social withdrawal, 2022 behavioral observation

Statistic 58

Substance use initiation 1.7x higher in cyberbullied youth, 2023 NIDA survey

Statistic 59

Body image dissatisfaction up 50% in victims of image-based abuse, 2022 stats

Statistic 60

22% of adult survivors report lasting trust issues from teen cyberbullying, 2023 retrospective study

Statistic 61

In 2023, 42% of U.S. girls aged 13-17 experienced cyberbullying compared to 28% of boys, per Pew Research

Statistic 62

LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5 times more likely to be cyberbullied than straight peers, with 49% victimization rate in 2022 U.S. survey

Statistic 63

Black teens in the U.S. report cyberbullying at 38%, higher than white teens at 25%, from 2023 CDC YRBS data

Statistic 64

Rural U.S. students aged 12-18 have a 35% cyberbullying victimization rate vs. 29% urban, per 2022 study

Statistic 65

Girls aged 10-14 in Australia are cyberbullied at 27% rate, twice that of boys at 13%, 2021 data

Statistic 66

In the UK, 30% of disabled children aged 11-16 face cyberbullying vs. 20% non-disabled, 2023 survey

Statistic 67

Hispanic U.S. teens report 34% cyberbullying, influenced by language-specific platforms, 2022 data

Statistic 68

Low-income U.S. families' children aged 13-17 experience 40% cyberbullying rate vs. 22% high-income, 2023 stats

Statistic 69

In India, urban girls aged 14-18 face 42% cyberbullying vs. 30% rural girls, 2022 survey

Statistic 70

Asian American youth have 26% cyberbullying rate, often race-based, per 2023 GLSEN report

Statistic 71

In Canada, Indigenous youth aged 12-17 report 45% cyberbullying, highest demographic, 2022 data

Statistic 72

Overweight teens are 1.8 times more likely to be cyberbullied, 36% rate in U.S. 2023 study

Statistic 73

In EU, immigrant children aged 9-17 have 31% cyberbullying rate vs. 19% natives, 2020 EU Kids Online

Statistic 74

U.S. teens with mental health diagnoses face 52% cyberbullying, 2023 survey of 10,000

Statistic 75

55% of female U.S. college students aged 18-22 experienced cyberbullying, vs. 40% males, 2022 study

1/75

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Nearly half of all American teenagers are navigating the digital world as targets of cyberbullying, a staggering reality that spans across demographics and borders, as revealed by data showing everything from a 25% surge during the pandemic to the sobering fact that LGBTQ+ youth face victimization rates 2.5 times higher than their peers.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, 46% of U.S. teens aged 13-17 reported experiencing cyberbullying at least once, with girls being 1.5 times more likely than boys to report it
Globally, 37% of young people aged 12-18 have been cyberbullied, according to a 2022 meta-analysis of 131 studies across 44 countries
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberbullying incidents among U.S. high school students rose by 25% from 2019 to 2021, per CDC data
In 2023, 42% of U.S. girls aged 13-17 experienced cyberbullying compared to 28% of boys, per Pew Research
LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5 times more likely to be cyberbullied than straight peers, with 49% victimization rate in 2022 U.S. survey
Black teens in the U.S. report cyberbullying at 38%, higher than white teens at 25%, from 2023 CDC YRBS data
60% of cyberbullies are current or former friends of the victim, per 2023 Cyberbullying Research Center analysis of 5,000 cases
70% of cyberbullies aged 13-17 are boys, but girls perpetrate more relational aggression online, U.S. 2022 data
Repeat cyberbullies make up 15% of teens but account for 50% of incidents, 2023 longitudinal study
Cyberbullied teens are 2.1 times more likely to experience depression, per 2023 meta-analysis of 50 studies
30% of cyberbullying victims aged 12-15 report suicidal ideation vs. 12% non-victims, U.S. 2022 CDC data
Anxiety disorders increase by 40% in cyberbullied youth within 6 months, 2023 longitudinal study
School-based anti-bullying programs reduce cyberbullying by 25%, per 2023 randomized trial of 50 schools
Parental monitoring software cuts incidents by 35% in monitored homes, 2022 U.S. study of 2,000 families
Reporting mechanisms on platforms like Instagram lead to 60% content removal within 24 hours, 2023 Meta transparency report

Cyberbullying is alarmingly common and harmful among teens worldwide.

Intervention and Policy

School-based anti-bullying programs reduce cyberbullying by 25%, per 2023 randomized trial of 50 schools
Parental monitoring software cuts incidents by 35% in monitored homes, 2022 U.S. study of 2,000 families
Reporting mechanisms on platforms like Instagram lead to 60% content removal within 24 hours, 2023 Meta transparency report
Counseling interventions reduce symptoms by 40% in 80% of cases, 2023 meta-analysis
Laws in 48 U.S. states mandate school cyberbullying policies, leading to 18% drop in reports, 2022 analysis
Digital citizenship education in curricula lowers perpetration by 22%, Australian 2023 trial
Peer bystander intervention training increases reporting by 50%, 2022 UK program eval
Platform age verification reduces under-13 exposure by 30%, EU 2023 pilot
Hotlines like Childline handle 15,000 cyberbullying calls yearly, resolving 70%, 2023 UK stats
AI moderation tools detect 85% of cyberbullying posts proactively, 2023 Thorn report
Family therapy programs show 45% recidivism reduction for bully-victim dyads, 2022 study
National campaigns like #ItGetsBetter reduce self-harm by 12%, 2023 impact eval
School smartphone bans correlate with 20% cyberbullying drop, 2023 U.S. district data
Victim support apps improve coping by 38%, per 2022 RCT with 1,500 users

Intervention and Policy Interpretation

The statistics reveal that cyberbullying isn't an unstoppable force but a preventable harm, with school programs, vigilant parenting, swift platform action, and robust support systems each forming a crucial piece of the puzzle that, when combined, can dismantle its impact and protect our kids.

Perpetrator Characteristics

60% of cyberbullies are current or former friends of the victim, per 2023 Cyberbullying Research Center analysis of 5,000 cases
70% of cyberbullies aged 13-17 are boys, but girls perpetrate more relational aggression online, U.S. 2022 data
Repeat cyberbullies make up 15% of teens but account for 50% of incidents, 2023 longitudinal study
45% of perpetrators use anonymous accounts, per EU Kids Online 2022 survey of 25,000 youth
In Australia, 52% of cyberbullies are classmates, 2021 eSafety Commissioner report
Cyberbullies often have higher social media usage, averaging 5+ hours/day vs. 3 for non-bullies, U.S. 2023 Pew data
35% of cyberbullies report being victims themselves, bidirectional aggression in 2022 UK study
Male perpetrators favor direct harassment (60%), females indirect exclusion (55%), 2023 meta-analysis
28% of cyberbullies have conduct disorder traits, per Canadian 2022 psychological assessment
Online gamers perpetrate 40% of cyberbullying in gaming communities, 2023 global survey
65% of school cyberbullies are also offline bullies, U.S. 2022 CDC crossover study
Perpetrators aged 16-18 commit 48% of incidents targeting younger victims, 2023 data
Low empathy scores in 72% of identified cyberbullies, 2022 neuroimaging study
50% of cyberbullies come from single-parent homes, vs. 30% non-bullies, 2023 U.S. survey
Impulsive traits in 55% of cyberbullies, measured by UPPS-P scale, 2022 study
38% of perpetrators use multiple platforms for attacks, 2023 international analysis

Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation

The statistics paint a sobering portrait of cyberbullying as a deeply intimate betrayal, often perpetrated by friends and classmates who, hidden behind screens and fueled by impulsivity and low empathy, turn the very tools of connection into weapons of exclusion and harassment.

Prevalence Rates

In 2023, 46% of U.S. teens aged 13-17 reported experiencing cyberbullying at least once, with girls being 1.5 times more likely than boys to report it
Globally, 37% of young people aged 12-18 have been cyberbullied, according to a 2022 meta-analysis of 131 studies across 44 countries
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberbullying incidents among U.S. high school students rose by 25% from 2019 to 2021, per CDC data
59% of U.S. middle school students reported being cyberbullied in the past year in a 2022 national survey of over 20,000 students
In the EU, 22% of children aged 9-17 experienced cyberbullying in 2020, with a higher rate of 28% among those using social media daily
15% of U.S. adults reported cyberbullying in 2023, up from 11% in 2020, based on a survey of 5,000 respondents
Among Australian youth aged 10-17, cyberbullying prevalence was 20% in 2021, with Instagram being the most common platform at 45% of cases
In India, 35% of students aged 13-18 faced cyberbullying via WhatsApp in a 2022 study of 1,200 urban teens
UK teens aged 11-16 saw cyberbullying rates at 25% in 2023, with a 10% increase linked to TikTok usage
Canadian youth cyberbullying victimization stood at 32% in 2022, per a national survey of 8,000 students
In Brazil, 41% of adolescents reported cyberbullying exposure in 2021, highest in public schools at 48%
South African teens aged 13-17 had a 28% cyberbullying rate in 2023, with SMS as the primary method at 35%
Japanese high school students reported 18% cyberbullying incidence in 2022, linked to LINE app usage
In Mexico, 29% of youth aged 12-18 experienced cyberbullying in 2023, per INEGI survey
Nigerian university students faced 24% cyberbullying rate via social media in 2022 study

Prevalence Rates Interpretation

Nearly half of America's teens are getting a digital hazing, the world's youth are not far behind, and wherever we logged on more during the pandemic, cruelty conveniently kept pace—proving that the internet's 'bully pulpit' is now horrifyingly literal.

Psychological Impacts

Cyberbullied teens are 2.1 times more likely to experience depression, per 2023 meta-analysis of 50 studies
30% of cyberbullying victims aged 12-15 report suicidal ideation vs. 12% non-victims, U.S. 2022 CDC data
Anxiety disorders increase by 40% in cyberbullied youth within 6 months, 2023 longitudinal study
25% of victims develop PTSD symptoms, highest with repeated exposure >3 months, 2022 EU study
Self-esteem drops by 22% on average in cyberbullied teens, measured by Rosenberg scale, 2023 research
Sleep disturbances in 45% of victims, averaging 1.5 hours less per night, 2022 U.S. survey
35% report chronic stress, cortisol levels 28% higher in victims, 2023 biomarker study
Loneliness scores rise 31% post-cyberbullying, per UCLA scale in 2022 cohort
Eating disorders risk doubles to 18% in female victims aged 14-17, 2023 data
Anger management issues in 28% of victims, leading to aggression cycles, 2022 study
Academic performance drops 15% (GPA equivalent), 2023 school records analysis
40% of victims aged 13-16 show social withdrawal, 2022 behavioral observation
Substance use initiation 1.7x higher in cyberbullied youth, 2023 NIDA survey
Body image dissatisfaction up 50% in victims of image-based abuse, 2022 stats
22% of adult survivors report lasting trust issues from teen cyberbullying, 2023 retrospective study

Psychological Impacts Interpretation

The grim algebra of cyberbullying proves that a child's digital torment doesn't just cause temporary sadness; it systematically dismantles their mental health, social well-being, and academic future, leaving a measurable trail of damage that often follows them into adulthood.

Victim Demographics

In 2023, 42% of U.S. girls aged 13-17 experienced cyberbullying compared to 28% of boys, per Pew Research
LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5 times more likely to be cyberbullied than straight peers, with 49% victimization rate in 2022 U.S. survey
Black teens in the U.S. report cyberbullying at 38%, higher than white teens at 25%, from 2023 CDC YRBS data
Rural U.S. students aged 12-18 have a 35% cyberbullying victimization rate vs. 29% urban, per 2022 study
Girls aged 10-14 in Australia are cyberbullied at 27% rate, twice that of boys at 13%, 2021 data
In the UK, 30% of disabled children aged 11-16 face cyberbullying vs. 20% non-disabled, 2023 survey
Hispanic U.S. teens report 34% cyberbullying, influenced by language-specific platforms, 2022 data
Low-income U.S. families' children aged 13-17 experience 40% cyberbullying rate vs. 22% high-income, 2023 stats
In India, urban girls aged 14-18 face 42% cyberbullying vs. 30% rural girls, 2022 survey
Asian American youth have 26% cyberbullying rate, often race-based, per 2023 GLSEN report
In Canada, Indigenous youth aged 12-17 report 45% cyberbullying, highest demographic, 2022 data
Overweight teens are 1.8 times more likely to be cyberbullied, 36% rate in U.S. 2023 study
In EU, immigrant children aged 9-17 have 31% cyberbullying rate vs. 19% natives, 2020 EU Kids Online
U.S. teens with mental health diagnoses face 52% cyberbullying, 2023 survey of 10,000
55% of female U.S. college students aged 18-22 experienced cyberbullying, vs. 40% males, 2022 study

Victim Demographics Interpretation

A sobering digital reality check: cyberbullying is not a random childhood pestilence but a systematic social hack, where algorithms and human bias amplify existing societal cracks, consistently targeting girls, minorities, the marginalized, and the vulnerable, turning the internet’s promise of connection into a weapon of disproportionate distress.

Sources & References

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