Understanding In-Person and Online Bullying in Canada
- The White Hatter
- 44 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Bullying, or what we like to call “peer aggression” here at the White Hatter, has always been a concern for families, but the rise of digital communication has added new layers that can make it feel more complex than ever. (1) Parents and caregivers often ask us whether cyberbullying (digital peer aggression) is now the dominant threat or if traditional, face-to-face bullying remains the bigger issue. Let’s look at the Canadian national research to help bring clarity to this question.
Recently, a Canadian not-for-profit “Child First Canada” released a report where they found 71% of youth between the ages of 12-17 reported experiencing “some form” of bullying in the past 12 months. (2) This statistic wasn’t from new research that was conducted by Child First Canada, but from a 2019 Stats Canada survey called, “Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (3)
The fact that so many young Canadians reported being bullied is something that we must take seriously because every child deserves to feel safe in their community. However, here’s where we have some questions. Globally, and within Canada, reported bullying rates are significantly lower. Most studies point to around 1 in 5 children being impacted, not 7 in 10 as reported in the Child First Canada report. Our opinion, no matter what the number, no youth or teens should be the target.
Could it be that the definition of bullying used in this study was too broad? Were the questions asked in a way that might confuse normal conflict, something every child experiences such as rude, mean, or disturbing behaviour, with the very real and very harmful dynamics of digital peer aggression? After reviewing the questions asked for this 2019 survey we believe it was a very broad definition.
This distinction matters. Conflict is part of growing up as it teaches kids resilience, negotiation, and empathy. Digital peer aggression, on the other hand, is something else entirely; it’s targeted, intentional, and relentless. It strips children of safety, belonging, and dignity.
This article breaks down what Canadian data tells us about bullying in both digital and in-person spaces, what the numbers actually mean, and how parents and caregivers can interpret the trends in a balanced and informed way. However, to be clear, no matter what the numbers or modality of delivery, bullying is a reality and a challenge that parents, caregivers, and educators need to be alive to.
Statistics Canada’s “Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth” (2019) gives us some insight of what cyberbullying looks like for today’s young people.
Among teens aged 12 to 17, about 1 in 4, or about 25%, reported experiencing at least one form of cyberbullying in the previous year. The numbers break down like this:
16% said they were insulted or threatened online or through text.
13% were excluded from an online group, chat, or community.
9% had hurtful or embarrassing information posted about them.
This was also reflected in some 2023 research conducted by Media Smarts Canada, where they found that about 32% of youth have personally experienced means and cruelty online, or about 1.6 youth out of five. (4)
Cyberbullying is not limited to teens. Young adults aged 18 to 29 reported similar rates, with roughly 25% experiencing some type of online victimization in the past year.
These numbers make clear that cyberbullying is a significant concern. The ability to reach someone anytime, anywhere, and often anonymously, makes online aggression feel especially intrusive. Still, these data points represent one part of a much larger picture.
While cyberbullying tends to receive the most media attention, traditional bullying continues to affect a much larger proportion of Canadian youth.
For teens aged 15 to 17, the same CHSCY survey found that about 75% experienced some form of bullying, online or offline, in the previous year. This category includes:
Being made fun of or insulted face-to-face
Being socially excluded
Having rumours spread
Physical pushing or aggression
Online incidents
Not all of these behaviours are equally severe, and not all happen frequently, but they illustrate how widespread peer conflict and bullying can be during adolescence. Also, it doesn’t appear that the 2019 research quoted above, considered the research conducted by Dr. Sameer Hinduja and Dr Justin Patchin, who specialize in researching both in-person and online bullying, where they found between 9-12% of teen digital self-harm posted online, where the victim is actually the one who posts, sends, or shares hurtful content about themselves to create empathy from others, a form of attention seeking behaviour. (5)
These findings show that while online bullying is real and harmful, in-person bullying remains both more common and more varied. It includes a wider range of behaviours, from verbal jabs to physical aggression, that digital platforms simply don’t capture.
So why are these statistics important to us as a parent or caregiver?
Understanding how these numbers fit together helps prevent misinterpretation, especially when strong claims circulate online. Remember, the good research supports:
Cyberbullying happens, but it is not the predominant form of bullying.
With rates around 25%, online bullying is significant. At the same time, the overall rate of any bullying, when in-person experiences are included, is much higher, especially in mid-adolescence.
Many surveys lump online and offline experiences together.
This sometimes leads to confusion when comparing studies or headlines. A report stating that “71% of teens are bullied” is not saying that 71% are bullied online. It is referring to any kind of bullying.
Bullying is influenced by age, gender, identity, and environment.
Younger children tend to experience more frequent in-person bullying, especially physical or verbal conflicts; in our experience it is most predominant between grades 6-10. Older teens often shift toward relational aggression and digital conflict. Girls often report more relational and online bullying; boys report more physical bullying.
Online conflict does not replace in-person conflict.
For many teens, the same peer dynamics that create friction at school carry over into digital spaces. Online bullying often reflects existing social relationships rather than replacing in-person interactions. The research supports the fact that regardless of the method used, there is bidirectional causation also known as reciprocal causation.
Some adults assume that removing a device or limiting online access will eliminate bullying. Unfortunately, the research does not support that assumption. Because most bullying still happens offline, preventing access to social media or phones will not remove a child from the social ecosystem where conflict occurs.
What the data suggest is that:
Cyberbullying adds to the burden, but it does not account for most bullying experiences.
Offline environments, schools, sports teams, peer groups, remain the primary context for bullying.
Positive relationships, strong coping skills, and trusted adults help reduce risk in both spaces.
Here’s what our friend and colleague Dr. Sameer Hinduja, a researcher and expert specific to the topic of cyberbullying stated to us:
“It may be true that taking away a teen’s phone might temporarily limit their exposure to cyberbullying, it doesn’t actually prevent bullying. Kids will still be targeted (and just not know about it, or fear the worst), if they don’t have phones. Bullying still occurs in schools (and is more prevalent than cyberbullying when you examine lifetime victimization among youth) – and we wouldn’t suggest taking schools away from youth. It’s the same logic. Plus, most teens report that their phones play important roles in building friendships, accessing support, and staying safe.”
So, here are our key takeaways for families:
1. Cyberbullying (digital peer aggression) affects about one-quarter of Canadian teens, but offline bullying remains far more common.
2. Bullying takes many forms including verbal, relational, physical, and digital, and young people often experience more than one type.
3. Device removal does not eliminate bullying risk for most youth, because most bullying is happening face-to-face. (6)
4. Open communication, supportive home environments, and strong connections at school remain among the most protective factors for youth.
5. Monitoring frequency, not just presence, is key. Occasional conflict is different from weekly or daily harassment.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
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