Cyberbullying video to be screened in Scottish schools

Researchers from Glasgow Caledonian have created a new film to raise awareness of the impact of cyberbullying and online abuse on teenagers.

The animation, based on research with online abuse survivors and young people, will be shown in secondary schools in Scotland from September.

Several teenagers recount their positive and negative experiences using social media during the five-minute video.

The film highlights all forms of cyber abuse, from using images without consent and cyberstalking to deep fake videos, publishing private imagery, and threatening behaviour.

One youngster explains: “I used to feel confident, but now I don't even want to look at myself in the mirror. I used to love being online, but now I get nervous when I get a notification.”

Another adds: “Experiencing online abuse can be overwhelming but it's not your fault and you don't have to cope with it alone.

“It is not your responsibility and you are not to blame. We must all stand together and say that this behaviour is not acceptable.”

The film has been produced as part of the EU-funded Innovative Solutions to Eliminate Domestic Abuse (ISEDA) research project. Glasgow Caledonian is collaborating with 14 partners from nine European countries on the study, which aims to combat domestic abuse via modern technological tools and practices.

Professor Nancy Lombard, who is working alongside researcher Dr Kate Butterby and PhD student Erin Rennie on a package of material to be delivered online in schools, said: “Through the film we wanted to highlight how social media is an integral part of teenage life and how this can be positive.

“But it also illustrates the potential for misuse including online abuse and how this can have different impacts on boys and girls.”