Who bullies and who is bullied online? : a study of 9-16 year old internet users in 25 European countries

-93% of 9-16 year old internet users in Europe have neither bullied nor been bullied online. Those who have bullied or been bullied online are more vulnerable psychologically or from their socio-demographic background. -Bullying, and having been bullied online mostly go hand in hand. Around 60% of those who bully have been bullied by others. Bullying and being bullied by others mostly occur through similar modes. Of those who have bullied others offline, 57% have been bullied, though only 10% were bullied online. Of those who have bullied others online, a similar number have been bullied (58%) but 40% online. -Those involved in online bullying (whether as bully or victim) are more likely to have a social networking profile and to meet new contacts online compared with those involved (as bully or victim) in offline bullying only. -When bullied online, bullies are more likely than others to say they “feel guilty” or “try to get back at the other person”, but they are less likely than others to say they “try to fix the problem”. -Online bullies differ from offline bullies in their internet behaviours and attitudes but not in their offline behaviours. Gender differences in offline bullying (more boys) do not occur online.

-Almost 1 in 16 say they have been bullied whereas only half as much admit to having bullied others online -"Among those involved in online bullying, girls, younger children and those from a low sociodemographic background report more often being victims of bullying and less often to bully others than boys, older children and those with a higher socio-demographic background" (Görzig, 2011, p. 2) -"The three bullying groups show higher psychological difficulties compared to those neither having bullied nor having been bullied online. In addition, those who are both, online bullies and victims of online bullying, show higher psychological difficulties than those who are bullies but not bully victims." (Görzig, 2011, p. 3) -Findings suggest that psychological difficulties are associated with both online bullying and victimization. Sensation seeking is associated with online bullying and ostracism is associated with victimization.