Countering bullying and cyberbullying using technology-based solutions: a systematic review

Countering bullying and cyberbullying among peers has assumed high relevance in past decades, leading to the implementation of numerous prevention and intervention projects. Traditionally, these interventions have been implemented in face-to-face group classroom contexts, and just recently some projects have exploited Virtual Environments (VE) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as preventive environments and intervention tools for bullying and cyberbullying. Searching on three databases (PsychInfo, Scopus and Web of Science), the present study aims to systematically review the scientific literature on technology-based interventions against bullying and cyberbullying among adolescents. A total of 65 articles were included in the review following the PRISMA methodology. The study's results highlighted the existing technology-based interventions against both traditional and online bullying, their characteristics, and their effectiveness (if assessed). Overall, literature has developed fully technology-enabled and mixed interventions (both online and face-to-face components), with a greater prevalence, especially in recent years, of highly interactive tools such as Serious Games, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence. Moreover, based on the effectiveness results highlighted by this review, the technological tools seem to be an excellent ally in the fight against peer violence. • The review included 65 papers with 49 different prevention protocols; 44 reported efficacy results. • Both fully technology-enabled and blended interventions showed potential effectiveness. • Increasing use of interactive tools: Serious Games, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence. • Most protocols target bullying or cyberbullying only; few addressed both effectively. • The technological tools seems to be excellent allies in the fight against bullying and cyberbullying in schools.