Kids who own cellphones more likely to be cyberbullied says study

Kids are more vulnerable to cybercrimes and now the findings of a new study are bound to ring alarm bells for parents.

The study reveals that children who own cell phones are more likely to fall prey to cyberbullying. Researchers collected survey data of 4,584 students from grades 3, 4, and 5 between 2014 and 2016.

They found that overall, 9.5 per cent of children reported being a victim of cyberbullying whereas children who owned cell phones were significantly more likely to report being a victim of cyberbullying, especially in grades 3 and 4, researchers said.

"Parents often cite the benefits of giving their child a cell phone, but our research suggests that giving young children these devices may have unforeseen risks as well," said Elizabeth K  Englander, a professor of psychology at Bridgewater State University in the US.

Researchers noted that across all three grades, 49.6 percent of students reported owning a cell phone. The older the student meant it was more likely he is to report cell phone ownership: 59.8per cent of fifth graders, 50.6 percent of fourth graders, and 39.5 percent of third-graders reported owning a cell phone.

They noted that cell phone owners in grades three and four were more likely to report being a victim of cyberbullying. Across all three grades, more cell phone owners admitted they have been a cyberbully themselves.

The increased risk of cyberbullying related to phone ownership could be tied to increased opportunity and vulnerability, researchers said. Continuous access to social media and texting increases online interactions, providing more opportunities to engage both positively and negatively with peers, and increases the chances of an impulsive response to peers' postings and messages, they said.

"At the very least, parents can engage in discussions and education with their child about the responsibilities inherent in owning a mobile device, and the general rules for communicating in the social sphere," Englander said.