A total of 3956 children aged 12–13 years who completed the Longitudinal
Study of Australian Children (LSAC Wave 5) were studied about their
experiences of traditional face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying in the last month.
In terms of prevalence, sixty percent of the sample had been involved in traditional
bullying as the victim and/or the offender whereas eight percent had been involved
in cyberbullying as victim and/or offender. The vast majority (95 %) of those
involved in cyberbullying were also involved in traditional bullying. Children
involved in both traditional bullying and cyberbullying were compared with those
involved in only traditional bullying. Boys were more likely to be involved in both
types of bullying than girls. Children with friends involved in delinquent activities
and who did not have trustworthy and supportive friends were more likely to bully
both traditionally and in cyberspace. Computer proficiency and use did not differentiate
children who had crossed over from those who had not, although computer
use for socializing purposes had some predictive value in identifying those children
who crossed over. The study reflects the value of school interventions for children as
they approach adolescence, covering both traditional bullying and cyberbullying,
and targeting social relationships in order to teach children how to manage them
safely and intelligently.