Bullying and Cyber-Bullying

Abstract

Bullying is defined as an oppression, psychological or physical, repeated and continued over time, perpetuated by a person—or a group—that is more powerful against another person perceived as weaker. Three characteristics define the phenomenon of bullying: voluntariness of the behavior, repetitiveness, and imbalance between the violent and the victim. Initial studies aimed at understanding the phenomenon and defining the dynamics and roles. It is now clear that not only the victim and the bully are involved but also all the people who participate as supporters or silent spectators. There has been a worrying increase in the cyberbullying phenomenon (i.e., forms of bullying, violence, offense, and exclusion) by IT tools. The understanding of cultural-psycho-socio dynamics and suitable forms of intervention require a multi-perspective that takes into account the psychological, sociological, institutional, and legal dimensions. It is from the integration of different perspectives and several prevention tools that adequate interventions can be devised.