Rising bullying and cyberbullying are increasing globally; governments implement varied prevention strategies across Europe.
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The phenomenon of physical, psychological, and online violence affects both boys and girls, with data showing an increasing trend. In Italy, 68.5% of young people aged 11-19 reported experiencing offensive or violent behavior online or offline in the past year, while 21% experienced bullying continuously. Bullying manifests differently for genders; males are more often victims of insults, whereas females experience higher rates of exclusion. Online harassment is also prevalent, with 34% of young people reporting cyberbullying at least once in a year. Experts stress that both physical and virtual violence are interconnected, noting how incidents can be filmed and shared online to amplify psychological harm. Solutions require overcoming shame by reporting incidents, involving families in providing professional support, and demanding collective effort from institutions and communities for education on respect. Legal frameworks exist, such as Italy’s Law 71 of 2017, which protects victims online. Scientifically, the increasing reliance on social media is linked to heightened feelings of loneliness and a need for validation. International examples show that Spain is strengthening preventive measures through protocols and peer tutoring programs, while Lithuania reports high rates of online bullying among its youth, with experts warning about AI’s role in exacerbating the issue. The Czech Republic lacks complete official data but has mandated school monitoring and plans to introduce full-time psychologists and rapid intervention teams by 2027.
