“There is more taste in being unique”: Aics and Maxibon together for an awareness project against cyberbullying
Young people spend less time online and are more aware of the dangers of the web. It is a comforting scenario that emerged from the latest survey conducted by Connected Generations on a sample of 2,472 secondary and junior high school students. According to the framework presented in early 2022, in fact, the percentage of teenagers who spend less than 4 hours a day online has doubled (coming in at 46 percent, up from 23 percent in the previous survey). But there is more: 55% said they had received information about online safety and 31% said they had received it from their teachers, confirming the fundamental role of schools. In addition, the 95% claimed to have supported their peers to improve their Web surfing.
Despite this, phenomena such as cyberbullying continue to be a considerable problem. Again, data from Generations Connected showed that in the last few months of survey 7 percent of students said they had been victims of acts of cyberbullying, joined by a 2% of cyberbullies and a 21% viewers of acts of cyberbullying. In this context, the initiative " There is more taste in being unique", a training course sponsored by A.I.C.S. (Italian Association for the Prevention of Cyberbullying and Sexting). The initiative is supported by. Maxibon, iconic brand of the Froneri, which has always stood by the younger generation.
"Cyberbullying takes the form of virtual actions marked by bullying and intimidation of those who are different because of ethnicity, religion, physical characteristics, gender identity and sexual orientation or for economic and family situations. Any element of diversity becomes an excuse for social exclusion - explains psychologist and psychotherapist Andrea Bilotto, President of A.I.C.S. - The idea of our campaign is to address this phenomenon from the inside, raising awareness of the value of uniqueness among young people, supporting them in self-acceptance and involving them in the process of inclusion".
The project is not aimed only at students, but also involves parents and teachers in dozens of high schools throughout Italy, through online meetings e in-person, with the purpose of support the creation of an enabling environment to raise interest in the informed use of new technologies. The first two appointments will be held Friday, Oct. 14 at theIstituto Tecnico "Alfredo Oriani" in Faenza and Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Liceo Statale "Alessandro Serpieri" in Rimini.. The first of two meetings will be held online for parents and teachers, while the second, in-person, will involve students in two meetings in the institute's main hall. Then, in the coming months, the project will involve schools scattered throughout Italy.
Maxibon has therefore decided to espouse the cause of A.I.C.S. to contribute to the work of empowering young people and educators. "È fundamental that girls and boys learn to love themselves and others, becoming aware of how much beauty is contained in diversity, which makes each of us unique and special," explains Simona Mantovani, brand manager of Maxibon.
"These young people will be the adults of tomorrow, and we believe that it is essential for them to cultivate values such as respect for each person, virtuous interaction with their peers, and the promotion of team spirit on a daily basis. These are valuable values in which we deeply believe, as they are necessary for building a more just, equitable and inclusive society."
