Rise in bullying and cyberbullying incidents across Europe - Data Insights Revealed
In recent times, concerns over bullying and cyberbullying among young people in Italy have been on the rise. According to Paola Brunese, the president of the Juvenile Court in Naples, boys are the main perpetrators of bullying and cyberbullying based on homophobia, transphobia, and racism.
A teenager named Francesco, from Cagliari, Italy, experienced bullying firsthand. He was subjected to name-calling, pushing, and slapping, highlighting the prevalence of such incidents among the youth. Francesco's story is representative of many similar cases reported daily across Italy.
A survey conducted by Istat reveals that 34% of 11-19 year olds in Italy experienced online harassment at least once in the past 12 months, with 7.8% experiencing it more than once a month. Furthermore, one in ten 11-19 year olds was excluded with even greater frequency.
The trend of bullying among this age group is growing, with 21% of 11-19 year olds experiencing bullying continuously (more than once a month), and 8% experiencing it more than once a week. In 2023, 68.5% of 11-19 year olds reported being a victim of at least one offensive or violent behavior in the past 12 months.
The impact of bullying appears to manifest differently by gender. A recent statistic shows that 37% of Italian pupils aged 11-19 recently heard threatening comments about girls’ safety, suggesting ongoing issues related to gender-based harassment. Boys' social media usage rates highlight their exposure risk but do not specify the nature or prevalence of bullying they experience.
President Brunese has encountered cases of bullying by girls driven by envy or jealousy. She emphasizes the importance of reporting incidents of physical, psychological, and online violence to combat these issues.
The European Union, including Italy, has been intensifying efforts to protect minors from harmful social media effects. Over half of 12-year-old boys reportedly access social media monthly, exposing them to risks such as cyberbullying, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
While Italy-specific detailed figures on online bullying prevalence are not provided, such EU-level contexts imply significant exposure and vulnerability among Italian youth. Official debates underline ongoing efforts to enact stricter protections for minors online, reflecting the recognized severity of these issues in Italy and Europe more broadly.
However, more detailed, disaggregated data on bullying prevalence, online bullying specifics, and gender impacts specific to Italy are not available in the current search results. It is essential for further research and action to address these issues and ensure a safer environment for all young people in Italy.
[1] Source: Istat survey [2] Source: European Union report on online risks for minors
- Concurrent with the rise in bullying cases, there is a growing concern about the mental health of young people in Italy, as indicated by the EU report on online risks for minors.
- Thegeneric news about the Italian Juvenile Court in Naples reveals that boys are predominantly involved in bullying and cyberbullying, often based on prejudice towards race, sexuality, or gender.
- To foster health-and-wellness and personal-growth, it is crucial to address the increasing frequency of bullying among young people in education-and-self-development settings.
- Efforts to combat crime-and-justice in Italy should extend beyond traditional physical violence to include cyberbullying, an issue impacting a significant number of young people across the country, as observed in the recent Istat survey.
