Children seeking help over cyberbullying

Study: kids now more willing to speak to parents

By Carrie-ann Skinner, PC Advisor UK
June 15, 2010 11:12 AM ET

Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of children claim they wouldn't participate in cyberbullying, says Symantec.

For some time there have been concerns that many children have been victims of bullying by other kids online.

However, the security vendor's Norton Cybercrime Human Impact Report (NCHIR) revealed that children's behaviour online is improving, as is their tendency to get help dealing with cyberbullying.

While, more than half (55 percent) admitted they had experienced negative online behaviour, over three quarters of kids said they would speak to their parents if they were threatened with physical harm or were sent suspicious or inappropriate material when online.

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Furthermore, nearly two thirds (63 percent) said they would tell a teacher or a parent if they suspected a peer was being bullied.

Symantec also revealed that 63 percent of kids wouldn't do or say anything online that they wouldn't do offline, and 61 percent said harassing people online was unacceptable.

Kids are also well aware that file-sharing copyrighted content is also wrong, according to the report. Four in five admitted they knew that downloading a movie they haven't paid for is wrong, while 76 percent understood that downloading music without paying for it is also illegal.