CarnalNation

According to a new study by Iowa State University researchers, half of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) youth are regular victims of cyber-bullying. This form of dangerous harassment is carried out through the use of websites, chat rooms, emails, cellular phones and instant messaging programs and causes serious psychological and emotional distress to victims.

An online survey of 444 students between the ages of 11 and 22 revealed that 54 percent of LGBT and allied youth reported being victims of cyber-bullying in the 30 days prior to the survey. These attacks included the distribution of photos intended to cause humiliation, targeting of victims in malevolent online polls and the dissemination of private and/or false information.

Of the 444 participants in the sample, 350 identified as non-heterosexual and 45 percent reported dealing with depression as a result of cyber-bullying. Over a quarter (26 percent) reported having had suicidal thoughts and 28 percent experienced anxiety as a result of the harassment. Victims also reported feelings of helplessness with 55 percent believing that their parents would not be able to do anything about the cyber-bullying and 57 percent indicating that school officials would also be unable to stop the harassment. They reporting feeling reticent to tell their parents about the bullying for fear of having their use of technology restricted.

"They feared that there might be more retribution by 'tattling,'” said author Warren Blumenfeld of Iowa State. "There's a saying that we've now changed to read, 'Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can kill.’ And especially at this age -- pre-adolescence through adolescence -- this is a time when peer influences are paramount in a young person's life. If one is ostracized and attacked, that can have devastating consequences -- not only physically, but on their emotional health for the rest of their lives."

The study, published in the International Journal of Critical Pedagogy, proposes strategies for cyber-bullying prevention.

"One of the strategies coming out of this study – since respondents expect and want their peers to step in more – is that we should find ways on our campuses to empower young people to speak up and act as allies," Blumenfeld explained. "In bullying circles, it's empowering the bystander to become the upstander to help eliminate the problem."

They also recommend that schools develop programs that address and challenge dominant social norms with a focus on peer influences.