In 2016, cyberbullying cases in Italy increased alarmingly, by around 8% . Sexting is also steadily growing : data shows that one in four teenagers has practiced it between the ages of 11 and 12.
Cyberbullying and sexting
Cyberbullying is one of the forms bullying can take , and its evolution is linked to the advancement of new technologies. It is perpetrated through modern means of communication. Sexting , on the other hand, is the phenomenon of sending sexually explicit texts or images via the internet or cell phone.
During the seminar promoted by the Lombardy Region, " Talking about sexting at school – a phenomenon to monitor ," in collaboration with the Regional School Office, Pepita Onlus, and Casa Pediatrica Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, some worrying data on the topic emerged. Luca Bernardo, director of Casa Pediatrica Fatebenefratelli-Sacco in Milan—which in 2016 treated 1.200 patients, 80% of whom were for adolescent issues related to the internet , 35% of whom were due to cyberbullying—forcefully stated: "The data tells us that the situation regarding these phenomena is not improving. We need to prevent this, inform and educate families and schools, which can be warning indicators."
The improper use of new technologies
According to the 2016 data from the National Observatory on Adolescence (Pepita Onlus), on a sample of over 7.000 adolescents from different regions of Italy, 4% declared having had sex by sending photos and videos on WhatsApp, on social networks or by phone; 6,5% have sexted and 2% have had sex in front of a webcam. 10% of adolescents have done intimate selfies or without clothes.
Paolo Picchio, father of Carolina, who committed suicide at 14 out of shame over a sexual video of her that was shared online, also shared his painful testimony during the seminar. He stated: "We need information to recognize this phenomenon because victims are affected in the mind, not the body, and often families and schools don't realize it."
Rino Carfora
