School courtyards and playgrounds are no longer there places where young people socialise. Instead, they use online social networks that they access with their phones, tablets and computers. Social networks, in addition to socialising, entertainment and games, are used to disseminate knowledge and exchange study materials. Young people are able to use the web to communicate with others free of charge, maintaining relationships with friends, families and partners all over the world. Violent boys and mean girls have always been present among young people. Information technology has now just given them a completely new platform for their malicious acts.
In my master’s thesis I used an overview of the relevant literature to first explain the difference between traditional and online bullying. I focused on the forms of online bullying that occur on the various social networks. Then, I defined the important role played by institutions in the prevention, confrontation and coping with online violence. In order to show how we are faced with the problem of online violence in Slovenia, I carried out interviews with representatives from the institutions in Slovenia that deal with this issue. In the discussion section, I find that online bullying in Slovenia is growing. Society is aware of the problems of online violence, which is why educational institute and institutions, as well as the police have taken firm steps in raising awareness among the public, school employees, parents and young people about using the internet safely and about the dangers and consequences of online violence. The consequences of online violence can also lead to tragic ends, as there is an indirect causal link between self-harm, suicidal thoughts, suicides and suicide attempts among young people and online violence.
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