One in six teenagers have been bullied online over their weight, with almost 17 per cent of adolescents experiencing weight-related bullying. The research, conducted on more than 12,000 10 to 17-year-olds from various countries, found that almost 70 per cent of Twitter users reported being bullied about their body, with Twitch being the second-highest social media platform linked to weight-related bullying. The study also showed that each additional hour of social media use led to a 13 per cent increase in weight-related bullying. Researchers from the University of Toronto, Cambridge University, and the University of California, San Francisco, led the study to investigate weight-related cyberbullying among adolescents. Participants reported their weekday hours spent on various screen activities and whether they experienced weight-related bullying.
The findings revealed alarming rates of weight-related bullying online among adolescents, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter and Twitch. The study highlighted that girls were more likely to experience weight-related bullying than boys while using Twitch or playing video games. The associations between screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying were strongest for adolescents in Canada, Australia, and the UK. Almost 17 per cent of participants reported weight-related bullying sometimes, a lot, or all the time, with a 13 per cent increase in bullying reported for every additional hour of screen time. The researchers emphasized the need for further research to address this growing social issue and make online spaces more accepting and safer for young people to engage in.
Dr. Kyle Ganson, an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, led the study, along with researchers from Cambridge University. The research aimed to shed light on weight-related cyberbullying among adolescents across different types of recreational screen time and social media platforms. The study’s international sample included participants from various countries like Britain, the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, and Mexico. The data collected revealed that weight-related bullying was a pervasive issue online, with significant impacts on adolescents’ mental health and well-being. The findings underscored the importance of creating safer online environments and addressing cyberbullying to prevent adverse effects on young people’s body image and mental health.
The study highlighted the prevalence of weight-related cyberbullying among adolescents, with almost 17 per cent of participants reporting being bullied about their weight online. The research found that social media platforms like Twitter and Twitch were prominent sources of weight-related bullying, with almost 70 per cent of Twitter users experiencing such harassment. The study also identified a correlation between screen time and weight-related bullying, with each additional hour of screen time leading to a 13 per cent increase in bullying. Girls were more vulnerable to weight-related bullying than boys on certain social media platforms, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and prevention strategies to address this issue.
Dr. Catrin Pedder Jones, a research associate at Cambridge University, highlighted the adverse effects of weight-related bullying on adolescents, including poor body image, disordered eating behaviors, anxiety, and depression symptoms. The research team called for action to make online spaces more accepting and safer for young people to prevent the detrimental impact of cyberbullying. The study’s international scope provided valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of weight-related cyberbullying among adolescents from diverse backgrounds. By addressing this issue and promoting positive online behaviors, stakeholders can work towards creating a healthier and more inclusive online environment for young people to thrive. The study emphasized the importance of ongoing research and collaborative efforts to tackle weight-related cyberbullying and support the well-being of adolescents in the digital age.
