Approximately 20% of male students encounter bullying
Bullying among Youth: Breaking the Cycle
One in five boys and the youngest age group, 11 to 13, are the most exposed to bullying, according to recent Istat data. This alarming statistic comes from the report "Bullying and cyberbullying in relationships between young people" presented at Palazzo Chigi. In 2023, 68.5% of 11 to 19-year-olds reported experiencing offensive, disrespectful, or violent behavior, both online and offline, in the past year.
Bullying in Numbers: A Closer Look
The survey revealed that 21% of the victims suffered these abuses more than once a month, and 8% faced them even more frequently. However, bullying rates are lower in the South, while the North-West stands out as the region with the highest percentage, 71%, of boys aged 11 to 19 who reported being victims of such behaviors in the past year.
Between the ages of 11 and 13, victims account for 23.7%, while they are 19.8% in the 14-19 age group. Among foreigners, 26.8% stated they had been victims with a frequency of more than once a month, in comparison to 20.4% among Italians. Some nationalities, such as Romanians and Ukrainians, report the highest rates, at 29.2% and 27.8% respectively.
Online Bullying: A Growing Concern
Online bullying is also widespread, with over 90% of young people aged 11 to 19 spending at least two hours a day on the internet. In this context, 34% of boys in the same age group admitted to experiencing harassing behaviors online at least once in a year, and 7.8% more than once a month. Boys are more targeted: 8.9% compared to 6.6% of girls, and foreigners: 39.8% compared to 33.3% of Italians.
Addressing the Issue: A Multi-Faceted Approach
To combat bullying effectively, a multi-layered approach is needed, involving preventive measures, educational programs, informative campaigns, and robust protective systems.
Promoting a positive and inclusive school environment, providing early social skills training, and encouraging friendships and peer support are crucial preventive actions. Educational interventions should include anti-bullying curricula, emphasis on assertiveness and conflict resolution, and the implementation of the "Recognize, Respond, and Report" approach.
Informative campaigns should raise awareness about bullying and cyberbullying, encourage open communication, and differentiate between reporting and tattling. Protective systems require clear anti-bullying policies, maintenance of records of incidents, support for victims and perpetrators, and increased adult supervision in high-risk areas.
Lastly, integrating kindness and empathy in schools can significantly reduce bullying by teaching these values, rewarding positive behavior, and fostering a warm, supportive environment.
A Call to Action
By executing these strategies collaboratively, schools and communities can create safer, more inclusive environments and combat bullying among youth effectively. As Giuseppe Valditara, the Minister of Education, remarks, "Addressing the growing problem of bullying requires a break or a more correct and balanced use of the smartphone." It's time to invest in digital education, ensuring children are prepared for the digital world and equipped to navigate it safely.
- The average frequency of bullying experiences among victims aged 11 to 19, according to the survey, is alarmingly high, with 21% experiencing abuses more than once a month and 8% dealing with them even more frequently.
- personal-growth through education and self-development can aid in promoting a positive school environment, as early social skills training, friendships, and peer support are crucial for preventing bullying among youth.
- Digital education should be prioritized in addressing the issue of bullying, as highlighted by Giuseppe Valditara, the Minister of Education, to ensure children are equipped to navigate the digital world safely and make a more balanced use of smartphones, contributing to general-news discussions on fighting cyberbullying.
