Cyberbullying is a pervasive issue in modern education, and research highlights how adult behaviour can significantly influence children’s engagement in such activities. Project PARTICIPATE, a European EU-funded project, is dedicated to understanding these dynamics, with recent insights shared at the International Parents Alliance Parent Summit 2024. Doctoral candidate Luca Laszlo presented her research on the Impact of Adult Behaviour on Cyberbullying, underscoring the vital role parents and professional educators play in preventing these behaviours. This article delves into the findings from Project PARTICIPATE and discusses how adult actions can shape children’s online behaviours.

Understanding Project PARTICIPATE: Addressing Cyberbullying at Its Roots

Project PARTICIPATE is a leading research initiative focused on creating inclusive educational settings by addressing social dynamics that affect students’ well-being, including cyberbullying. This project explores the influence of adults on children’s behavior, recognizing that students’ interactions and experiences within educational environments can either prevent or perpetuate cyberbullying.

Through research and practical interventions, Project PARTICIPATE helps professional educators, parents, and policymakers better understand how to foster positive environments. This understanding is crucial in combating cyberbullying, as children often mimic the behaviours they observe in adults, especially those in authority. By addressing the root causes of negative behaviours, Project PARTICIPATE aims to foster an inclusive culture that prevents bullying and supports all students.

The International Parents Alliance Summit 2024: A Global Call to Action

The International Parents Alliance (IPA) Summit is a global platform that unites parents, professional educators, and advocates to tackle educational challenges and promote inclusive education. The 2024 Summit focused on parental involvement and its impact on issues like cyberbullying. Doctoral candidate Luca Laszlo, representing Project PARTICIPATE, presented her research, which shows that adult behaviour plays a significant role in influencing children’s likelihood to engage in cyberbullying.

Laszlo’s findings emphasize the connection between adult authority figures’ behaviours and children’s actions, revealing that children exposed to bullying behaviours from adults may replicate these behaviours online. Her presentation underscored the importance of positive parental involvement and community engagement in creating supportive environments that discourage bullying.

The Impact of Adult Behaviour on Cyberbullying in Children: A Growing Concern

Laszlo’s research at the Summit shed light on the disturbing connection between adult bullying and children’s cyberbullying tendencies. Her scoping review of 88 studies, spanning diverse cultures, shows that children often model the behaviors they witness, particularly from influential adults like parents, teachers, and coaches. When children experience bullying or observe aggressive behavior from adults, they may internalize these actions, increasing the likelihood of becoming cyberbullies themselves.

This research highlights the importance of adult role models in preventing negative behaviour patterns. By addressing the Impact of Adult Behaviour on Cyberbullying, professional educators and parents alike can work toward solutions that promote healthy, respectful online interactions among students. This underscores the role of parental involvement in modeling positive behaviour to prevent bullying and create a safer digital space for students.

Collaborative Solutions for a Cyberbullying-Free Education

Project PARTICIPATE is one of many project supported by International Parents Alliance with the purpose to create meaningful solutions that address the underlying causes of cyberbullying. With the insights from Luca Laszlo’s research, these organizations emphasize the need for community-wide involvement to reduce the incidence of cyberbullying in educational settings, and tackle the Impact of Adult Behaviour on Cyberbullying.

Laszlo’s presentation at the Summit serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration in education. By working together, families, schools, and policymakers can address the root causes of cyberbullying, ensuring that adult behaviours in positions of authority reflect the values of respect, empathy, and support. Project PARTICIPATE’s work continues to provide actionable insights for parents and professional educators to prevent cyberbullying and promote inclusive education.