Facebook, Instagram are the most common sites for bullying youth in Assam, poll found | Tech Reddy

Mobile application logo for Facebook and Instagram. File. | Photo Credit: AP

Facebook and Instagram are youth bullying platforms, a poll conducted by some 9,500 National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers from 24 universities and educational institutions in Assam.

A poll conducted by UNICEF in support of the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) also revealed that 95% of youth in the State face mental health issues due to corporal punishment.

The U-Report poll, launched on July 18 for the ASCPCR’s Suraksha programme, aimed to raise public awareness about forms of violence among children, and measures to address it. Most of the NSS volunteers who participated in the poll said that they are aware of issues such as cyber bullying and physical punishment.

An analysis of the poll revealed that 35% of young people experienced corporal punishment at home, 25% at school, and 14% in other places such as special training centers and playgrounds. About 26% experienced all three areas.

The most common form of punishment was hitting or slapping the limbs (67%) followed by yelling or verbal abuse (16%). Almost 60% of young people who experienced physical trauma reported that it had affected their social relationships – anxiety, worry and fear for 24% while 17% reported physical injury, the election report said.

Half of young people reported being bullied online by an unknown person, 12% were bullied by a schoolmate, and 14% by a friend.

With 36% of cases, Facebook appears as the most common source of bullying followed by Instagram with 25%. The most common form of bullying is spreading false information, embarrassing photos or videos on social media (35%).

Physical appearance is the leading cause of cyberbullying, the report said.

“With the efforts of the Government of Assam to create a positive environment for the youth to grow and develop, UNICEF has been working with the youth of Assam, especially the most vulnerable communities,” Madhulika Jonathan said. , head of UNICEF Assam.

The study is the result of a collaboration between UNICEF Assam and the Directorate of NSS for the North-East region to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the youth in the year 2020-2021.

Currently, 19% of Assam’s 3.1 crore population (Census 2011) is in the 15-24 age group.