קורבנות לבריונות ברשת בקרב ילדים צעירים: מאפייני התופעה והקשר לתמיכה חברתית ולתחושת בדידות

The current study presents an updated initial picture of the nature of cyber bullying (CB)among children in Israel. The study aimed at examining cyber bullying as it is manifested among young children, its prevalence, characteristics and gender differences, on the background of traditional bullying. In addition the study has examined the relationships between cyber-victimization and two aspects of social difficulties: sense of loneliness and social support. The study composed of 242 students, grades 4-5 (54.1% girls).15.8% of them reported they were cyber-victims and 31.7% knew cyber-victims. The percentage of girls’ cyber-victims was significantly higher than that of boys. The findings indicate a significant relationship between the frequency of Internet usage and cyber victimization and CB and traditional bullying. Cyber-victims reported on lower social support and higher sense of loneliness than non-cyber-victims. The findings raise the need for designing and implementing special intervention programs for children,focusing on the social aspect, in these early stages, along with treatment programs for the young cyber-victims.