Over the past 50 years, since Dan Olweus's pioneering work in 1970, bullying has transformed from a perceived normal childhood experience to a recognised public health and social issue. Substantial evidence now demonstrates bullying's impact on youth mental health and well-being, making anti-bullying interventions, especially in schools, a priority for public health and education systems. However, further research is needed to understand the contextual and systematic factors influencing bullying, their interaction with individual factors, and the mechanisms leading to adverse outcomes. Additionally, clarifying the effectiveness of anti-bullying interventions remains crucial. Future studies incorporating innovative technologies like virtual reality or leveraging natural events such as pandemic-related school closures may provide new insights into bullying's aetiology.
See our written Bullying Topic Guide
Bullying
