From Cyberbully to Cyberbuddy: cooperation for combating cyberbullying among secondary school students

The main goal of the CyberBuddy project was to create conditions for combating cyberbullying among teenaged students by equipping secondary school students and their teachers with relevant digital...

The main goal of the CyberBuddy project was to create conditions for combating cyberbullying among teenaged students by equipping secondary school students and their teachers with relevant digital tools to raise their awareness of and response to various forms of inappropriate behaviour in online environment. The specific objectives of the project were the following: SO1: To create conditions for digital empowerment of secondary school students by developing and disseminating interactive digital and social media literacy training tools for students, their parents and teachers for recognizing and combating different forms and components of cyber bullying. SO2: To enhance digital empathy in students by triggering their self-reflection and raising awareness among them of the impact of aggressive and abusive behaviour in online environment. SO3: To encourage active behaviour and response to cyberbullying by equipping students, their parents, and teachers with the know-how, tools and methods for preventing cyberbullying, as well as for recognizing signs of cyberbullying and for offering support.

Every WP had its own set of activities: WP1 Project Management: this was an ongoing package also covering quality assurance and evaluation. WP2 CyberBuddy digital challenges included: A1 Target groups inquiry A2 TPM in Greece A3 Development of CyberBuddy game-based educational escape rooms scenarios A4 Peer review and internal validation of CyberBuddy game-based escape rooms A5 Translation and proofreading of CyberBuddy game-based educational escape rooms scenarios A6 Piloting and fine-tuning WP3 The CyberBuddy diaries platform included: A1 Framework and architecture proposition A2 TPM in Italy A3 Delivery of digital contents A4 Proofreading and translation of contents A5 Prototype development of the CyberBuddy diaries platform A6 Testing and de-bugging of the CyberBuddy diaries platform WP4 'How to raise a cyberbuddy' guidelines A1 Development of a structure for the guidelines A2 Development of How to raise a cyberbuddy A3 Internal cross-check of the contents A4 Proofreading and translation into partner languages A5 Testing, refinement and finalization WP5 Dissemination and Exploitation A1 Development of CyberBuddy visual identity, dissemination channels & materials A2 CyberBuddy Ambassadors campaign in Bulgaria A3-A7 Events

The tangible results we delivered are: R1: CyberBuddy digital challenges that challenge students in digital escape rooms dealing with situations involving cyberbullying thus enhancing their digital empowerment. R2: The CyberBuddy diaries platform that present real-life cases of cyberbullying along with videos that show situations of cyberbullying from three different perspectives: the ones of the bully, the victim and the bystander. R3: How to raise a cyberbuddy – guidelines for teachers, parents and educators on early recognition of signs of cyberbullying, prevention of cyberbullying and dealing with cases of cyberbullying. In addition to the tangible results, the project generated significant intangible outcomes. These include increased digital awareness, confidence and resilience among secondary school students, as well as enhanced digital empathy and a greater willingness to take an active stand against cyberbullying. Teachers, school psychologists and parents reported improved knowledge, preparedness and confidence in recognising and addressing cyberbullying situations. The project also strengthened collaboration between schools and families and encouraged a shared understanding of responsible digital behaviour.