Around 15–16% of adolescents across Europe experience cyberbullying and rates are rising. But research is clear: the number of hours children spend online is not the only factor that matters. What shapes their wellbeing is the quality of digital interaction, the context of use, and above all their emotional and social competences. Children who struggle with emotional regulation are more vulnerable to online conflict, exclusion and the damaging effects of social comparison. That is why the Erasmus+ PreMedBullying project takes a whole-school approach that develops empathy, self-awareness and responsible decision-making alongside digital skills. In the digital era, strengthening emotional intelligence is not an optional extra. It is a necessary condition for effective bullying prevention.
Read the full article by Sofia Papakonstantinou here.
