Study: Cyber bullying can cause teens to isolate and become depressed

By Staff Writer

A recent study reveals that cyber bullying can cause its victims to develop depression.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that children who are bullied through electronic mediums, such as cell phones, online chat and Facebook, may be more likely to become depressed than those who are victims of traditional bullying, the Journal of Adolescent Health reports.

"Traditional bullying is more face-to-face," the study's principal investigator said. "[Victims of cyber bullying] may be more likely to feel isolated, dehumanized or helpless at the time of the attack."

Cyber bullying is most common amongst middle school children, The Daily Herald reports. According to an earlier study by the NIH, approximately 14 percent of students in sixth- through 10th-grade have participated in at least one cyber bullying incident in the last two months. Other forms of bullying, such as physical and verbal, are also more prevalent in middle school.

According to a recent PBS study, about 4 percent of adolescents develop serious depression each year.