Better Internet for Kids

Although cyberbullying often takes place online and beyond the school grounds, its effects are frequently visible within the school community.

This practical guide has been developed for school education support staff, helping them to better understand the phenomenon, recognise warning signs among children and young people, and respond appropriately to concerns. It provides clear information, practical guidance and key indicators to support the prevention of cyberbullying and contribute to a safer, more respectful and inclusive school environment.

Whether on social media, messaging apps, video platforms, or in online games, cyberbullying takes place across various channels and can be extremely distressing for those affected.

This guide provides important information about cyberbullying. In addition to general facts about where and how often cyberbullying occurs, it explains typical indicators and warning signs that enable early intervention. Furthermore, it presents strategies and precautions that can help prevent cyberbullying and mitigate its potential negative effects on those affected.

Bullying is an extreme form of aggressive behaviour. It often manifests itself in the coexistence between people when basic needs are violated. If we can talk about this seriously, aggression can be used constructively. In the case of bullying, however, individuals are systematically excluded in the long term. The expansion of communication into the digital space has significantly exacerbated the explosive nature of bullying. This handbook is intended to help teachers act professionally in cases of cyberbullying.

By secondary school at the latest, many students will have their own smartphone. Even if not all students have their own device, there is almost always a class chat group. Students use the class chat for exchanges that usually go beyond school-related topics. A lack of netiquette and a lack of time or topic limits in class chat groups often lead to problems such as cyberbullying or excessive demands. Interactions in the chat and any problems in the class chat can also negatively affect the class climate.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to manipulate or completely recreate images, videos, audio and text. Such deepfakes can appear deceptively real, but do not correspond to reality. This means that you see or hear something that does not exist or has never happened.

The poster "What to do about cyberbullying" provides people with disabilities with tips on how those affected by cyberbullying can behave. They are written in plain language.

The poster was created based on the 'Cyberbullying Easy Help app' (klicksafe 'Cybermobbing Leichte Hilfe App'). The content of the app was developed by and for people with disabilities. It is accessible and easy to understand.

Original title: "Informationsheft zur Cybermobbing leichte Hilfe App"

Information booklet on the cyberbullying easy help app. The educational booklet makes cyberbullying understandable - with examples and short exercises.

It is suitable for training sessions, discussion groups or for reference alongside the app. For adults with cognitive impairments as well as support services, instructors and confidants.

Test your knowledge on the topic of "cyberbullying"!

In this quiz, young people can put their knowledge of cyberbullying to the test. The quiz can also be used in school lessons or together with parents to approach the topic together and discuss the questions. An offline version is also available.

Original title: "Digitale Zivilcourage"

Countering digital hate requires "digital civic courage." Students, in particular, need support and encouragement to stand up for others and not just stand by. When and how can I intervene if someone is being bullied online? How do I report content? Who can I contact with questions? This flyer aims to answer these questions for young people and show them how to offer help online.

This material is adapted from similar material from the Austrian Safer Internet Centre.

Bullying, whether physical or psychological, as well as its “online” form (cyberbullying), is one of the serious risks that affect the lives of children and young people, and can affect each of us at least once in our lives. We can find ourselves in the role of a victim, a witness, or even be close to the aggressor or his helpers. It can happen almost anywhere – at school, in a sports or hobby group, at a camp, in a children's home, other institutional or alternative family care facility. Or at the workplace and in the online environment.