Soaring instances of bullying and cyberbullying prevalent across Europe
Bullying and Cyberbullying on the Rise Among Adolescents
A growing concern in Italy and beyond is the prevalence of bullying among 11-19 year olds. According to recent statistics, 68.5% of this age group in Italy have experienced at least one offensive or violent behavior in the past 12 months, with 21% being victims of bullying continuously, more than once a month.
One such case involves a teenager named Francesco, who was bullied at school in Cagliari, Italy. Francesco's bullies subjected him to name-calling, pushing, and slapping. However, authorities intervened and stopped the bullying.
Online harassment is another issue that affects a significant number of young people. In Italy, 7.8% of 11-19 year olds have been victims of online harassment more than once a month, while 34% have suffered online harassment at least once in the past 12 months. The phenomenon of bullying is not gender-specific, as both boys and girls are affected. In fact, 8.9% of males report being cyberbullied more than once a month, compared to 6.6% of females.
The president of the Juvenile Court of Naples, Paola Brunese, insists on reporting all incidents of violence. She also mentions that sometimes bullying is carried out by girls due to envy or jealousy, targeting peers who are different in dressing or lifestyle.
The global picture of bullying and cyberbullying is similar. In the United States, recent data from a large nationally representative study of 13- to 17-year-olds found that 36.6% of boys and 28.6% of girls reported being cyberbullied recently, showing a sharp rise especially among boys since 2023. Common cyberbullying behaviors experienced included mean or hurtful comments, public embarrassment, and rumor spreading.
Globally, more than one-third of young people reported having been victims of online bullying, with about one in five reporting related impacts such as skipping school. In India, over 35% of teenagers reported experiencing cyberbullying, while in Europe, social media is a primary medium for cyberbullying incidents.
The trends indicate a rising prevalence of cyberbullying, with boys increasingly affected in recent U.S. data, and girls also significantly impacted but more stable over time. Common behaviors include hurtful comments, humiliation, rumor spreading, and exclusion from online groups. Self-reported offending has also increased significantly, reaching 16.1% recently in the U.S.
The data highlight the need for continued focus on prevention, especially as cyberbullying behaviors also rise among perpetrators. This summary is based on the latest 2025 studies and may evolve as new data emerge.
- To address the ongoing issue of bullying and cyberbullying, it's crucial to incorporate education-and-self-development programs that promote empathy and respect for others in schools and community settings.
- In the realm of general-news, the concern extends beyond borders, as learning about the impacts of bullying and cyberbullying can help foster a safer environment for all young people, aiding in the reduction of crime-and-justice incidents related to these behaviors.
