It has been found in an international research review that approximately one in four children and adolescents generally become the targets of cyberbullying, which is associated with a risk of depression among those targeted through texting, email or social media sites like Facebook.

Researchers at the University of Alberta and the Ontario Centre for Excellence for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Ottawa carried out analysis of analysis of 36 studies. The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday.

According to lead author Michele Hamm, a research associate at the Edmonton university, "Within the depression category, there was a consistent association between exposure to cyberbullying and an increased likelihood of depression".

It has been shown in the studies that females are targeted more compared to males, when it comes to relationship issues between friends or in a dating situation.

According to Hamm, it was found that girls are usually bullied for their popularity and appearance, and boys are targeted more with homophobic comments and their physical abilities.

It was found in the research that the occurrence of online bullying ranged from nearly 5% to 74% of respondents for a mean rate of 23%, or approximately one in four.

According to Rob Frenette, co-executive director and co-founder of BullyingCanada Inc., depression usually occurs when someone gets cyberbullied and the impacts can continue into adulthood, particularly when the person responsible for it continues doing this beyond high school or university. The stress of being bullied can cause nightmares, disturbed sleep and sleepwalking.