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CURRENT TRENDS, PERSPECTIVES AND COMMUNICATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PHENOMENON OF BULLYING IN SOCIETY
University of Žilina, Faculty of Humanities (SLOVAKIA)
About this paper:
Appears in: ICERI2023 Proceedings
Publication year: 2023
Pages: 8933-8939
ISBN: 978-84-09-55942-8
ISSN: 2340-1095
doi: 10.21125/iceri.2023.2281
Conference name: 16th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
Dates: 13-15 November, 2023
Location: Seville, Spain
Abstract:
Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that occurs in different areas of society, including schools, workplaces, online environments and public places. This paper focuses on the current trends and perspectives to combat the phenomenon of bullying in society. It aims to analyse current approaches to bullying prevention and awareness, evaluate the effectiveness of existing measures, and explore new options that could lead to significant improvements in the situation. It also focuses on the potential of pedagogical communication as an effective tool in anti-bullying prevention.
The first part of the paper looks at current trends in bullying prevention. These trends include not only the school environment, but also corporate and online communities. Traditional approaches to prevention, such as anti-bullying campaigns and awareness-raising activities, have been found to have limited impact and may be susceptible to a variety of barriers. Newer evidence-based approaches focus on engaging the whole community, including students, staff, parents and managers, to work together to create a safe and supportive environment.
The second part of the paper deals with perspectives on anti-bullying. The development of new technologies and social media and the new possibilities of online communication present new challenges in the field of prevention and addressing bullying. Virtual environments allow bullies to act anonymously and spread negative messages to a wide audience. As a consequence, new monitoring and intervention methods have emerged in recent years to prevent cyberbullying. Tools are sometimes available to automatically detect certain words and patterns indicative of bullying, allowing for a rapid response.
This contribution includes the results of research conducted in 2022. The research focused on analyzing the scope and nature of bullying in different social contexts, identifying factors contributing to bullying, and evaluating the effectiveness of existing prevention programs. The research findings provide valuable insights into the current state of bullying and the present challenges in its resolution.
The final section of the paper reviews current knowledge and research on bullying and its prevention. It highlights identified gaps in current approaches and highlights important areas for future research. Combating bullying requires a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach involving educational institutions, parent organizations, government agencies, and technology companies. To tackle bullying effectively, we need to focus on promoting empathy, interpersonal relationships, critical thinking and communication in children from an early age. In addition, we need to invest in innovative technologies to improve detection and intervention in the online environment.
Overall, this topic remains timely and essential due to the broad range of negative consequences bullying can have on individuals and society as a whole. Examining current trends and perspectives in combating bullying, along with the results of recent research, can improve our understanding of this issue and help find effective solutions that bring positive changes to people's lives.
Keywords:
Bullying, communication, cyberbullying.