Bullying 'part and parcel' of social media

YOUNG Australians have accepted bullies and trolls as an inevitable part of using social media websites, new government research suggests.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) study of 1500 children in NSW and South Australia showed one in five 14 and 15-year-olds have been bullied on the internet.

That's a slightly higher rate than found among other juvenile age groups.

But children of all ages said suffering or witnessing bullying is now an unavoidable part of social media sites, with the potential anonymity afforded to users a key driver of the abuse.

"It's sort of part and parcel of it all. You use social networks and you're going to see cyber bullying," one child told the ACMA.

The communication watchdog's senior adviser Rosalie O'Neale said 14 and 15-year-olds are most vulnerable to online bullying because many don't have the social skills to manage difficult situations online.

The age group was also identified as the most likely to engage in risky online behaviour, including becoming friends with or exchanging information with strangers.

Ms O'Neale believes slightly older children are less vulnerable because they are "less insular" and generally spend a little more time on other activities, including schoolwork.

Youngsters do take action against trolls and bullies, with some either defending victims or asking the perpetrators to stop, the ACMA found.

"The good news is that these young people are prepared to stand up and speak out about cyberbullying," ACMA deputy chairman Richard Bean said.

The overall level of online bullying was found to be steady, despite increased participation online.

The findings, part of the ACMA's Cybersmart online safety initiative, were presented at the sixth World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights in Sydney on Tuesday.

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