“A game between children.” “You must not interfere.” “We all went through that when we were younger.” These preconceived ideas about cyberbullying are legion. However, Samuel Comblez, child and adolescent psychologist and deputy general director of the e-Enfance association is categorical: “Cyberbullying is a real suffering.” Worse still, “the phenomenon is increasing and getting younger.”
As proof. According to the fifth edition of the annual barometer on bullying and cyberbullying carried out by the e-Enfance association and the Caisse d’Epargne, presented on Thursday, October 30, 37% of young people aged 6 to 18 are victims. This is 11 points more than last year. It is evident that almost 2 in 5 children are victims of bullying or cyberbullying, including 35% in primary school.
The equivalent of the population in Norway.
It is not surprising that this violence takes place mainly at school, in 71% of cases. But digital technology constitutes fertile ground for its expansion. In fact, 65% of primary school children access social networks… even though these platforms are prohibited before the age of 13. Whatsapp, and more specifically class groups, seems to be a privileged place for cyberbullying in 41% of cases.
“Today, whether we are 6 or 18 years old, we face the same violence. There is a problem of limits between virtual and reality. They have the impression that both are confused. But social networks should only be places of exchange,” says the psychologist.
Another frontier, that of the intimate, more particularly for girls. “Nowadays, girls are trapped in a vice. They are forced to show themselves on social media, otherwise they will be criticized. But the more we expose ourselves on the Internet, the more we face violence.”
Suffering, suicidal thoughts and constant fear.
However, the consequences of cyberbullying and harassment have a profound impact on the mental health of young people. Almost a quarter of victims report “extreme suffering”, 42% have insomnia or anxiety and almost a quarter have suicidal thoughts.
This suffering has serious and, above all, long-lasting consequences: 62% fear it will start again. “When we go to school, every day we live in fear that it will start again. When we post photos on the Internet, maybe they will come to light. We will constantly have a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads.”
Here too, girls are especially overrepresented. More than half of them have lost confidence. 39% even thought about harming themselves or even committing suicide. This is 14 points above average. “In situations of cyberbullying, there is a screen. We do not see the reaction or the consequences. However, we must show the consequences of the perpetrator’s behavior on the victim,” advises the president of the e-Enfance association.
The parents seem helpless in the situation. While 64% express concern about the dangers of digital technology, more than half do not know precisely what their primary school children are doing on social media. “It’s the only place that escapes parental supervision,” says Samuel Comblez. “You have to take the time to talk about it as a family.”
“The platform trap”
“We make parents feel very guilty, but it is not easy. They understand the danger but feel helpless because with digital technology the uses change very quickly. (…) They need to have the right tools to understand what their children are doing,” insists the psychologist.
Families also have high expectations. 75% of parents are in favor of banning platforms for children under 15 years of age. The parliamentary commission on the psychological effects of Tiktok on minors, which delivered its conclusions last September, is going in the same direction.
Samuel Comblez is more nuanced. “Social networks are already prohibited for those under 13 years of age but we are not achieving it. We must have the means to verify that the age limits are respected,” he concludes.
A solution could come from the European Union. Five countries, including France, will test a new tool to verify the age of online users. The European Commission hopes to protect young people from dangerous online content on adult sites and even social networks.
3018: the national number to combat online violence
If a child or adolescent is a victim of cyberbullying, webcam blackmail, identity theft, sexual or gender-based violence, exposure to violent content or even “revenge porn”, they or their loved ones can contact 3018, the national reference number. It is free, anonymous and confidential, available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Source: BFM TV
