Is It Really Possible to Prevent Cyberbullying?

By Ilaria Reato, Primary Teacher and Bullying, Cyberbullying and Digital Education Expert

Society and Education: An Inseparable Bond

When we talk about cyberbullying, we must start with a key concept: prevention, which is closely linked to the role of education. But what does it mean to educate in today’s world? In the past, the simplest answer would have been “teaching to read, write, and do arithmetic.” Today, however, education has a broader goal: helping young people integrate into an ever-evolving society, discover their passions, and develop essential skills to face life’s challenges.

We live in a digital era that requires new knowledge and skills, especially to address the vulnerabilities of modern society. The phenomenon of cyberbullying is one of these challenges, and combating it requires raising awareness and promoting digital education.

From Bullying to Cyberbullying

With the rise of the internet and social media, bullying has also moved into the virtual world, taking on new forms and, in many cases, becoming even more invasive. Law No. 71 of May 29, 2017, defines cyberbullying as:

“[…] any form of pressure, aggression, harassment, blackmail, insult, denigration, defamation, identity theft, alteration, unlawful acquisition, manipulation, unlawful processing of personal data to the detriment of minors, carried out online […].”

Compared to traditional bullying, cyberbullying has some distinctive characteristics:

• Unlimited accessibility: the bully does not need to be physically present and can act anytime, from anywhere.
• Wider audience: an offensive post or message can reach a much larger audience than traditional bullying.
• Anonymity: physical distance and the use of pseudonyms reduce the cyberbully’s sense of responsibility.
• Lack of direct feedback: the absence of face-to-face interaction with the victim diminishes empathy and encourages moral disengagement, making it easier to justify harmful actions.

All of this makes cyberbullying an insidious and complex phenomenon that requires targeted prevention strategies.

Prevention Through Narrative Thinking

How can we prevent cyberbullying? An effective approach is to promote positive communication and critical thinking among young people, raising awareness from an early age through narrative thinking. What does this mean? It means educating children in empathy and awareness through stories, readings, and interactive activities. Some examples include:

• Discussing rights and responsibilities through the reading of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Analyzing real-life cases of cyberbullying to understand their consequences.
• Using stories and narratives to encourage identification with characters and reflection on their choices.

The goal is to encourage young people not to be passive spectators, but rather to actively reflect on what they see and read. This can be done through questions such as:

• Why did this character act this way?
• How could they have behaved differently?
• How did the victim feel?

These simple questions activate empathy and critical thinking, helping children understand the consequences of their actions and develop greater digital awareness.

Building a Safer Digital Future

Cyberbullying is not an unsolvable problem. Through education, positive communication, and the responsible use of technology, we can create a digital culture based on respect, responsibility, and empathy. H-FARM International School is committed every day to providing its students with the tools to face the challenges of the digital world, promoting a culture of online safety and awareness. Prevention starts with knowledge, and together, we can make a difference.