Gay & Lesbian Youth Likely Victims of Cyberbullying

Gay & Lesbian youth are more likely to be regular victims of cyberbullying says a new study from Iowa State University.

A study by Iowa State University researchers Warren Blumenfeld and Robyn Cooper found about half of “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied youths are regular victims of cyberbullying, which causes psychological and emotional distress to victims — producing thoughts of suicide in some who are repeatedly victimized.”

"Allied youth” refers to young people who are openly supportive of LGBT youth.

The survey of 444 junior high, high school and college students between the ages of 11 and 22 (including 350 self-identified non-heterosexual subjects) found that 54% of LGBT youth had been victims of cyberbullying within the past 30 days. 45% of the respondents “reported feeling depressed as a result of being cyberbullied,” according to the study’s authors. 38% felt embarrassed, and 28% felt anxious about attending school. The authors reported that “more than a quarter (26%) had suicidal thoughts.”

As study co-author Warren Blumenfeld pointed out in an interview, to be considered bullying “it has to be repeated, it has to exist between people of different power relationships, with someone with more social power, physical strength over someone who’s considered to be less powerful.” It also has to occur over time with “numerous occasions for even it to be considered bullying.”