Italian schools launch initiatives to combat cyberbullying

Educational initiatives across Italy are focusing on combating bullying and cyberbullying through specialized school programs. In the Puglia region, the Polizia Postale conducted its ‘Una Vita da Social – Action Week’ campaign, reaching approximately 3,500 students and 400 teachers. The program, which included sessions at the De Ruggieri High School in Massafra, aimed to teach adolescents how to recognize digital dangers, including sextortion, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and general online harassment.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education and Merit highlighted various innovative school projects, such as the ‘CyberAngel’ initiative at the Galileo Galilei Institute in Palermo. This program trains students to act as peer educators and listeners after receiving psychological training, helping to improve the social climate within classrooms. Other regional projects, including those in Amatrice, utilize diverse methods ranging from virtual reality to community-based creative experiences to foster student engagement and safety.