Market Data
Introduction
MIUR, the Italian Ministry of Education, established the National Day of Bullying and Cyberbullying in 2017 to address the pervasive issue of bullying and cyberbullying among students nationwide. This initiative supports awareness and prevention measures to harness the power of education to combat this social crisis, which continues to plague schools, universities, and social groups alike.
The day aims to foster an awareness platform for youth through various educational activities and events, encouraging them to raise awareness on the harmful behavior and its impact on society. In recent years, the Italian education sector has been supporting this initiative, with schools becoming models of preparedness for bullying and cyberbullying scenarios, particularly during events such as Feb. 7 every year, which brings students together to address the collective experience of bullying.
Methods of Bullying and Cyberbullying
The phenomenon of bullying and cyberbullying is globally recognized, yet its prevalence and impact in Italian schools have been significant. Data from recent studies reveal that cyberbullying is prevalent across the country, particularly among younger students. Among this, cyberbullying among boys and girls has been recorded to be higher compared to girls in 2023. Boys are more likely to use informal and indirect forms of bullying, such as messaging platforms, while girls often resort to more subtle methods, such as omitting personal content on social media.
The study conducted by the Edward差不多数据分析中心 (Eria) in Italy involved over 800,000 students in 2021-2023, showing that significantly more boys than girls experienced cyberbullying. Among these, approximately 35% of students reported cyberbullying activities, compared to just 29% reported by girls. This disparity highlights the need for targeted approaches to combat both genders’ challenges.
confident that their actions can lead to circles, where students become victims or authors of bullying incidents. The study emphasized that not all cyberbullying is equally aggressive or severe, with boys more likely to resort to direct threats, while girls often avoid direct suffering. This dichotomy in bullying prevention underscores the necessity of individualized strategies tailored to the age and context of each student.
Dynamics of Bullying Triggering Factors
The dynamics of bullying behavior vary widely among young Italian students. Bullying incidents are often triggered by a lack of trust in authority,adoption of masculinity over femininity, and the search for validation in a peers’ community. This reluctance to rely on peer support creates a cycle where bullying not only steals a victim but also authoritatively throws away the offenders’ presence. The study revealed that 35% of cyberbullications involved boys, while only 29% were reported by girls, highlighting a significant disparity in the nature and approaches of bullying practiced by these genders.
The digital divide in Italian society further exacerbates the challenge. girls, particularly, often face more challenges in accessing online resources or platforms that facilitate bullying. These girls are less equipped to recognize and resist cyberbullying, which becomes a reachable but difficult target.
Conclusion
The National Day of Bullying and Cyberbullying in Italy serves as a catalyst for awareness and preparedness, helping young students to recognize and address the harmful behaviors they are part of. Through acknowledging the prevalence of bullying in Italian schools and appreciating the efforts made to combat it, sparked a conversation about pedagogical practices and the role of education in addressing these issues. The digitization of increasingly complex social norms and a fragmented society make the challenge of preventing cyberbullying even more pressing, raising calls for actionable solutions that enrich the understanding and support of victims and attackers alike.
