Bullying and cyberbullying are characterized by violent and intentional manifestations of verbal, physical, and social abuse repeated over time by an individual or by several people. Bullying always has been present in our daily lives. However, with the advent of new technologies, bullying has taken new forms, including cyberbullying. There is an imbalance of power between those who attack, to hurt and humiliate, and those who suffer and fail to defend themselves. These are phenomena that express a lack of tolerance and nonacceptance toward those who are considered different due to ethnicity, race, religion, psychophysical characteristics, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, and particular family realities. The number of parents whose children and in particular preadolescent children have experienced some form of bullying or cyberbullying is increasing worldwide (Figure). In Europe significant rates (18%-23%) of cyberbullying were reported in primary schools.1,2 In the US, incidents of bullying have been reported in 47% of parents with children aged 6-10 years and by 56.4% and 59.9% of parents with children aged 11-13 years and 14-18, respectively.2 This commentary, prepared by the Social Pediatrics Working Group of the European Association of Pediatrics/Union of European National Pediatric Societies and Associations, briefly discusses bullying and cyberbullying and their risks to children. The purpose is to draw the attention of pediatricians, social workers, and teachers to these phenomena, which are increasing in preadolescents, emphasizing that these adults can be instrumental in alerting parents and families on the risks of this practice by children and play a central role in programs dedicated to monitoring, controlling, and contrasting these serious acts of violence.
Bullying and Cyberbullying Increasing in Preadolescent Children
Flavia IndrioInvestigation
;Ida GiardinoInvestigation
;Massimo Pettoello-Mantovani
2023-01-01
Abstract
Bullying and cyberbullying are characterized by violent and intentional manifestations of verbal, physical, and social abuse repeated over time by an individual or by several people. Bullying always has been present in our daily lives. However, with the advent of new technologies, bullying has taken new forms, including cyberbullying. There is an imbalance of power between those who attack, to hurt and humiliate, and those who suffer and fail to defend themselves. These are phenomena that express a lack of tolerance and nonacceptance toward those who are considered different due to ethnicity, race, religion, psychophysical characteristics, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, and particular family realities. The number of parents whose children and in particular preadolescent children have experienced some form of bullying or cyberbullying is increasing worldwide (Figure). In Europe significant rates (18%-23%) of cyberbullying were reported in primary schools.1,2 In the US, incidents of bullying have been reported in 47% of parents with children aged 6-10 years and by 56.4% and 59.9% of parents with children aged 11-13 years and 14-18, respectively.2 This commentary, prepared by the Social Pediatrics Working Group of the European Association of Pediatrics/Union of European National Pediatric Societies and Associations, briefly discusses bullying and cyberbullying and their risks to children. The purpose is to draw the attention of pediatricians, social workers, and teachers to these phenomena, which are increasing in preadolescents, emphasizing that these adults can be instrumental in alerting parents and families on the risks of this practice by children and play a central role in programs dedicated to monitoring, controlling, and contrasting these serious acts of violence.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.