Cyberbullying: Prevalence and Impact on Singaporean Students

This report examines the issue of cyberbullying among secondary school students in Singapore, drawing on articles from The Straits Times and Mynewsdesk. The report analyzes the prevalence of cyberbullying, revealing that a significant number of students admit to both being perpetrators and victims. It highlights the link between cyberbullying and related issues like school truancy and suicidal thoughts, while also exploring the potential for victims to become tormentors. The report discusses the role of organizations like the Singapore Children's Society and the Media Literacy Council in addressing cyberbullying, as well as the importance of parental involvement and cyber wellness education. The report covers various aspects of cyberbullying, including its impact on students, the role of parents in preventing it, and the need for awareness and education to combat this growing problem. Furthermore, it includes FAQs addressing parental concerns and preventative measures.

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Table of Contents
Article-1...........................................................................................................................................2
Article-2...........................................................................................................................................4
Article-3...........................................................................................................................................7
References:................................................................................................................................10

Article-1
TAI, J. (2017). 1 in 4 secondary students 'admits to cyber bullying'. The Straits Times.
Retrieved 3 October 2017, from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/1-in-4-
secondary-students-admits-to-cyber-bullying
Issue Analysis:
According to study report given by The Singapore Children's Society (SCS) and Institute of
Mental Health, in 2014, 3000 plus students who aged between 12 to 17 were internet addict and
involved in Cyber Bullying. (TAI, 2017)
Approx. 43.5 % of male students said that they made fun of others who uploaded pictures and
jokes about them on social media, compared with 36.3 % in 2013. About 32.4% of female
students also said the same in the survey, up from 28.2 % previously. (TAI, 2017)
With a 58 % rating, Singapore secures the second highest position in cyber bullying after China.
CABCY works to promote awareness regarding side effects of cyber bullying through research
and some activities like conferences and workshops. CABACY is actively working with other
international organizations. (TAI, 2017)
Media Release:
One out of four students at secondary school level accepted that they bullied their colleague
online within the previous year, while one out of three students accepted the fact of being
victimized in the same. 1 in 5 primary school teens also reported in the cases for being “cyber
bullied.” (TAI, 2017)

The bullying cases ranged from posting out verbal abuses on social networks to spreading
rumors online. Circulating out victim’s picture online after defacing was also common among
the cases. With a 58.5% rating, Singapore secures the second highest position in cyber bullying
after China. These bullying cases have also been linked up in various studies with school level
truancy and suicidal thoughts. As per few of the volunteer groups working against the cyber
bullying, there will be more bullish because such social behavior is being normalized.
Ministry of education, Singapore uses Cyber Wellness (CW) which refers to well-being for
internet users.
The motive of Cyber Wellness to help students to understand the online behavior and awareness
to protect oneself from cyber bullying and to become a digital learner.
Whenever you got knowledge that your child is cyber bullied, offer him/her your support
immediately and try to tell him that cyber bullying is not right and you love him/her a lot and
will solve this problem together.
FAQ:
1. If parents come to know that their child has been cyber bullied. How should they
proceed?
2. What are the ways through which people are cyber bullied?
3. What preparation should one make to stay cyber safe and avoid being cyber bullied?
4. What measures should the guardians adopt to prevent their wards from being the victims
of cyber bullying?
5. What is the role of cyber intelligence, and civil society to deal with the menace of cyber
bullying?

6. Mention the Early signs and symptoms displayed by a victim of cyber bullying?
7. What are the ways through which a healthy a relationship can be established between
parents and their children?
8. Are you spending some quality time with your family?
9. What precautions should parents take to avoid cyber bullying?
Article-2
TAI, J. (2017). Victims of cyber bullying 'easily turn into tormentors'. The Straits Times.
Retrieved 3 October 2017, from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/victims-of-cyber-
bullying-easily-turn-into-tormentors.
Issue Analysis:
In cyberspace, Cyber bullying is a type of bullying in which electronic media like Social media;
Websites, etc. are used to harm an individual intentionally and repeatedly.
According to a report published in 2014 by the Singapore Children’s Society and the Institute of
Mental Health that 40% of the cyber victims also involved in bullying others. (TAI, 2017)
Out of the total 25 countries surveyed there were two such countries where cyber bullying was
more pervasive on ground level.
To promote responsible online habits and for safe internet use, the Media Literacy Council
started a campaign for four months.

Singapore Children's Society was established in 1952, for the welfare or to protect children of
any caste or religion.
Media Release:
According to a press release, the Victims of any cyber bullying can easily become tormentors.
According to a Study on youth segment in Singapore shows approximately 50% of those bullied
online also did the same thing to the others. (TAI, 2017)
According to Microsoft study done in 2012, Singapore records the second highest rate of cyber
bullying in the world after China. To promote responsible online habits and for safe internet use,
the Media Literacy Council started a campaign for four months. (TAI, 2017)
According to a survey, those who were bullied could later be normalized, and they could be
desensitized. The findings are important because when we use new technology, we have to be
very careful, if we not then the problem will increase and we have to stop the unhealthy online
culture.
According to a report released to The Straits Times recently, about to 40.2% of the cyber bullied
victims said that they also bullied others. (TAI, 2017)
Cyber Victims are also having recurring headaches, behavioral problems, socio-emotional and
self-harming actions and suicidal feelings, as compared with those who haven’t been bullied.
Cyber bullying involves a continues and repeated behavior.
After being bullied young and Children are also facing trouble to maintain their relations with
someone. Sometimes they have to face serious problems in their relationship due to changes in
behavior. An Adult plays an important part to help bullies to become a new personality.

Children grasp so many habits from their parents, so parents should try to make good and healthy
relation with their children, because if needed the later can easily talk to their parents without
any hesitation.
FAQ:
1. What signs should parents observe in a suspected case of cyber bullying?
2. What are the current legislations in place for cyber bullying?
3. What precautions should parents take to prevent their child from being a victim of cyber
bullying?
4. What is the role of parents in educating their children about the cyberspace?
5. How should a victim of cyber bullying be rehabilitated?
6. Are the prevailing laws on bullying and Harassment being implemented on ground level?
7. What are effective ways to prevent bullying?
8. How can we raise awareness on Cyber bullying?

Article-3
1 IN 3 SINGAPOREAN TEENS HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH CYBERBULLYING, ACCORDING TO
NEW MacAfee “2014 TEENS AND THE SCREEN STUDY”. (2017). Mynewsdesk. Retrieved 3
October 2017, from http://www.mynewsdesk.com/sg/preciouscommunications/pressreleases/1-in-
3-singaporean-teens-have-had-experience-with-cyberbullying-according-to-new-mcafee-2014-
teens-and-the-screen-study-1047201
Issue Analysis:
According to this study, 25.5% secondary school students accepted that they had bullied their
colleagues online within the last year, While 33% have said that they have been victimized by
cyber bullying. 1 in 5 primary school teens, too, reported being "cyber bullied."
Unfortunately, the hazards associated with cyber bullying are not limited to cyberspace but find
offline arguments too. The study found that 44 percent of youth have been involved in an
argument because of cyber bullying and even some had physical fights.
According to Touch cyber wellness, first of its kind in Cyber Wellness education in Singapore
asserts that it is vital for the parents to do detailed study and research to identify any early signs
of cyber bullying.

Cyber wellness education in Singapore started Touch Cyber Wellness that believes it is very
essential for parents to be aware of cyber bullying and also know how to detect before his/her
children were bullied.
Parents have to give proper and quality time with their family and also give some time to their
children also that are make the relation between parents and children healthier and strong.
Media Release:
A decade earlier, a study found out that 1 out of 4 primary and secondary school teens faced
online bullying at least once in their whole lives.
Even an another study done in the same time period in the United States found out that teens who
have been bullied and have bullied others were almost 2 times as likely to have tried suicide than
those who haven’t been bullied or have been involved in bullying.
According to a leading organization Touch Cyber Wellness, an agency which runs online safety
talks in schools had a survey among 3,000 secondary school students and 1,900 primary pupils
that a rising number of online bullies is worrisome, because its victims may suffer from
consequences that are potentially more serious than face-to-face bullying and have a loot if
aftereffects.
The main motive of Cyber Wellness lessons to make one aware of Cyber bullying so that they
can be safe, responsible, respectful users of electronic devices. The Cyber Wellness works for
helping children to make them responsible learners of digital media. It also involves some
process through which students learn online behavior and also learn how to protect himself from
cyber bullying.
Always try to discuss the cyber bullying with your children and make them understand the
negative impact of cyber bullying and you will not tolerate such type of behavior.

FAQ:
1. Where can we get information regarding Cyber bullying?
2. Who are Cyber bullies?
3. What is the difference between Cyber Bullying and Regular Bullying?
4. How do people react to cyber bullying?
5. How do I respond to cyber bullying?
6. What are potential consequences of Cyber Bullying?
7. What is your child’s risk of being Cyber bullied?
8. Is the problem as bad as Media portray?
9. How can you help your children if you don’t understand the problem?

References:
1 IN 3 SINGAPOREAN TEENS HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH
CYBERBULLYING, ACCORDING TO NEW McAFEE “2014 TEENS AND THE
SCREEN STUDY”. (2017). Mynewsdesk. Retrieved 3 October 2017, from
http://www.mynewsdesk.com/sg/preciouscommunications/pressreleases/1-in-3-
singaporean-teens-have-had-experience-with-cyberbullying-according-to-new-
mcafee-2014-teens-and-the-screen-study-1047201
TAI, J. (2017). Victims of cyber bullying 'easily turn into tormentors'. The Straits
Times. Retrieved 3 October 2017, from
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/victims-of-cyber-bullying-easily-turn-into-
tormentors
TAI, J. (2017). 1 in 4 secondary students 'admits to cyber bullying'. The Straits Times.
Retrieved 3 October 2017, from
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/1-in-4-secondary-students-
admits-to-cyber-bullying