Insults, mockery, shoving… One in four children have already faced harassment

The e-Enfance association alerted this Wednesday, October 9 about the worrying figures of harassment in schools. According to a new study, 24% of 6-18 year olds have already encountered it.

Hundreds of thousands of children have been victims of insults, mockery and pushing and shoving in recent months. A study carried out by the Audirep institute for the e-Enfance association in May 2024 and published this Wednesday, October 9 reveals that 24% of young people aged between 6 and 18 have been confronted with harassment.

An illness that strikes from a very young age, since these situations are experienced from primary school (27% of cases) and middle school (25%).

80% of victims say they have experienced one or more situations of harassment in their school (in the playground, for example) and 17% in the context of an extra-curricular activity.

29% of victims have “gone to the point of thinking about suicide”

The study highlights the role of social networks and messaging, since the Audirep institute explains that 67% of children in primary school are already registered there, whether on Youtube, Whatsapp or Snapchat. 93% of middle school students have an account on these same applications and the rate rises to 96% for high school students.

However, according to the survey, 44% of cyberbullied children are on Whatsapp and 38% on social networks (Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook). 20% of primary school students have been confronted with at least cyberbullying, seven points more than in 2023.

These acts have serious consequences on the mental and physical health of the victims, 58% of them have lost self-confidence or devalued themselves and 57% have encountered difficulties in their schooling. “29% have gone so far as to think about suicide,” according to the study.

A number against cyberharassment: 3018

For their part, parents find themselves in a “paradoxical” situation, according to the e-Enfance association. Because if a large majority of them (70%) have the impression that their child is at risk online, just as many do not know precisely what their child is doing behind their phone or computer.

School bullying: why we need to talk about it

However, 93% of parents say they are aware of the impacts of Internet use and social networks on their child’s behavior.

In order to better combat cyberharassment, the government implemented a new number, 3018, in September 2023.

This is displayed on most social network applications, and allows you to be put in contact with professionals in the event that you are a victim. There is also the PHAROS platform which allows you to report potentially illegal content on the platforms.

Online study carried out by the Audirep institute in May 2024 for the Association e-Enfance/3018 with the support of Caisse d’Epargne. 1,602 pairs of parents and children aged 6 to 18 in school surveyed (3,204 respondents in total)