Researchers develop game to battle cyberbullying

A team of Belgian researchers, co-ordinated by Antwerp University (UAntwerp), has developed a game to battle cyberbullying among students. Friendly ATTAC was tested in Antwerp by 27 teams of students and school staff during a cyberbullying study day last Friday.

The game is meant for students in the first year of secondary school, where cyberbullying is most common because of the major educational transition and changes in group dynamics. At this age, students also start to use social media more intensively. According to the researchers, one in 10 students has been the victim of cyberbullying in the last six months. Most cases involve insults and threats, mostly on Facebook and WhatsApp.

In Friendly ATTAC, the player witnesses a fictitious case of cyberbullying and learns how to a react. “Youngsters learn how to support and stand up for a victim,” explained UAntwerp professor Heidi Vandebosch. “They also learn that they shouldn’t like or share certain posts on social media.”

The tests showed that the games increased the students’ determination to look for more information or to report cyberbullying to a teacher. The participants also realised that taking initiative in cyberbullying situations is important.

The game is a prototype, and the researchers are looking for a publisher that can integrate the game into an educational kit. The game should eventually become part of a broad anti-bullying programme at Flemish schools.

Photo: Friendly ATTAC