Cyberbullying Affects Rich and Poor Children

Cyberbullying affects rich as well as poor, a new study finds.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Michigan State University, shows that cyberbullying doesn't just affect affluent or middle-class children, but also students belonging to lower socio-economic classes.

Recently, a Scottish teen killed himself after he was blackmailed over Skype. Last year, two girls in Florida were arrested after a girl- whom they had bullied - committed suicide. A 17-year old girl, who was raped and later bullied by her peers, killed herself April, 2013.

Now, researchers have found that the digital divide among children belonging to the upper and lower strata of the society is fading and similarly, cases of cyberbullying affects the poor as it affects the rich.

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

Bullying on electronic platforms is a growing problem in the U.S. According to estimates, 6 percent of students in grades 6-12 have suffered cyberbullying. At least 16 percent of all children in high school have experienced bullying via electronic media. Victims of cyberbullying suffer from long-term problems such as alcohol addiction, lower self-esteem and even health complications.

The study was based on data from 2,000 middle and high school students. Researchers found that children belonging to lower economic strata had a high risk of suffering from both physical and virtual bullying. 

Researchers said that campaigns aimed at fighting cyberbullying need to involve teachers and school authorities. "Such a message is vital to ensure all forms of bullying are given equal emphasis," Holt said in a news release.

The study is published in the Journal of Criminal Justice.