A new study by WHO/Europe has uncovered concerning trends of cyberbullying amongst school-aged children, shedding light on the prevalence and impact of online harassment within BRICS nations. While specific statistics on cyberbullying across BRICS countries are not explicitly provided in the sources, various insights from UNICEF, the ILO, and the CyberBRICS project underscore the urgency of addressing this global issue within the BRICS context.
The WHO/Europe study reveals that one in six school-aged children experiences cyberbullying, with over 1 in 10 adolescents having been cyberbullied at least once in the past couple of months. The study further highlights gender disparities, with girls being more likely to be victims of cyberbullying than boys. Notably, younger adolescents are particularly vulnerable, with the prevalence of bullying others highest among boys at age 15 and girls at age 13.
While specific statistics on cyberbullying across BRICS countries are not explicitly provided, insights from related sources shed light on the broader landscape. UNICEF’s poll, encompassing 30 countries including those in the BRICS group, reports that more than a third of young people have experienced online bullying, highlighting the global nature of the issue.
Additionally, the ILO has emphasised the need to upgrade protections against cyberbullying and ICT-enabled violence and harassment in the workplace, indicating broader concerns beyond individual experiences. The CyberBRICS project aims to address the complexity of cybersecurity in BRICS nations, underscoring the importance of mapping existing regulations and developing policy suggestions.
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Leaders of the BRICS group have also expressed concerns about protectionism and bullying, with a focus on politically motivated protectionism. While the sources do not provide specific statistics on cyberbullying within BRICS countries, collectively, they emphasise the significance of addressing cyberbullying and enhancing protections against online harassment and violence.
The study also stresses the importance of family support, communication with parents, and peer support in adolescents’ social well-being and school experiences, signalling the need for comprehensive strategies to address cyberbullying within the BRICS context.
As BRICS nations grapple with the challenges posed by cyberbullying amongst school-aged children, there is a growing recognition of the need for collaborative efforts to address this pressing issue. Insights from various sources highlight the urgency of implementing comprehensive strategies to combat cyberbullying, safeguarding the well-being of adolescents and fostering a safer online environment within the BRICS community.
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