eenagers think they are smart about online security, or cybersecurity. They are so savvy that nearly one-third go around school safeguards to view content banned at their school. A survey found that 29 percent admit to using tech devices to cheat in school. Furthermore, more than twice that many say they know of classmates who have cheated with devices.

Question

The findings of the survey by the computer security company McAfee are similar to a 2009 survey by Common Sense Media, a group that studies how kids interact with media. However, the exact amount of cheating, and whether it's changed over the years, is unknown.

Tests Answers Saved On Cellphone

It's easy, students say, to take a cellphone photo of notes or test answers, and then peek at it while taking a test. At the same time, they note observant teachers notice those glances.

McAfee asked questions to about 3,902 high school students ages 14 to 18 years old. Many of the students — 1,201 — lived in the United States, and the rest lived in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The amount of cheating and using blocked sites were higher in the United States.

30 Percent Of Students Report Being Cyberbullied

More teens also reported being cyberbullied. In the United States, 30 percent of teens said they had been cyberbullied, more than the 22 percent of teens in the survey overall. Of the U.S. students who said they'd been bullied, half of those reported incidents before starting high school.

Those figures are disappointing, considering the effort put into raising awareness of cyberbullying and fighting it, said Gary Davis of McAfee. He suggested educating children starting at an early age to help them stay safe online. "They need to understand what they should do to not be a victim."

Some teenagers said the survey may understate, or downplay, how often cyberbullying happens.

"It does surprise me, I'd expect it to be higher," said Julia Kolman, a rising senior at Branham High School in San Jose, California. "A lot of people take to Twitter to create fake accounts or use personal accounts to harass other students." Kolman herself doesn't use social media much. However, like many of her peers, she hears about the consequences and drama from it.

Facebook Top Site For Cyberbullying

The survey showed which online sites are the most used for cyberbullying among teenagers in the United States. Facebook appeared at the top with 71 percent, followed by Instagram with 62 percent and Snapchat with 49 percent.

It is easy to create several accounts with fake names, and users can post without using real names or profiles. This has created an inviting and unsupervised place online.

More than 70 percent of teenagers in the United States surveyed said they would feel comfortable talking with an adult at school if they were cyberbullied, the survey reported. Fifty-five percent said that school officials discuss the problem and are trying to prevent it. Pick a detail from this article. Explain how it helps you understand the bigger ideas in the article. Write out your answer.

Answer 1

One detail from the article that helps illuminate the broader themes is the statistic that "30 percent of teens said they had been cyberbullied" in the United States. This number is significant in understanding the persistent issue of cyberbullying and its impact on teenagers.

This detail highlights the alarming prevalence of cyberbullying among adolescents, indicating that it is a widespread problem that affects a substantial portion of the teen population. By comparing this figure to the overall 22 percent of teens surveyed, it becomes evident that U.S. students are experiencing cyberbullying at a notably higher rate. It paints a picture of a troubling environment where online interactions are leading to significant psychological consequences for young people.

Furthermore, this statistic serves to underscore the necessity for increased education and intervention regarding online safety and behavior, reinforcing the article's assertion that awareness and preventive measures must start young. Gary Davis's comments on the need for early education resonate with this detail, suggesting that understanding and combating cyberbullying is crucial.

In the context of the broader narrative concerning online behavior, this data point acts as a stark reminder of the challenges that accompany technological advancement and the importance of responsible digital citizenship. Ultimately, it encourages a deeper conversation about how schools, parents, and communities can collaboratively work to create safer online environments for teenagers.