Bullying and cyberbullying in the educational environment: the role of the educational process in forming a culture of digital hygiene

Abstract

Abstract. Problem Statement. The contemporary educational environment is increasingly shaped by digitalization, offering new learning opportunities while simultaneously exacerbating the risks of bullying and cyberbullying. These phenomena compromise psychological safety and negatively affect the socialization of participants in the educational process. Insufficient digital awareness complicates the detection and prevention of cyberbullying, highlighting the need to cultivate responsible digital behavior, tolerance, and safe interaction both online and offline. Analysis of Current Research. Bullying and cyberbullying are recognized as key threats to a safe educational environment and have been actively studied by both international and Ukrainian scholars. Early research was conducted by Scandinavian scientists such as D. Olweus, E. Roland, A. Picasso, and P. Heinemann, while significant contributions to counteracting the phenomenon were made by A. Brown, M. Klein, E. Miller, and D. Thompson. In Ukraine, researchers including M. Alekseenko, T. Tytarenko, T. Yatsenko, I. Dorozhko, O. Drozdova, and V. Shakhrai have focused on psychological and pedagogical aspects of bullying. In the context of modern digitalized education, increasing attention is paid to cyberbullying, which requires new preventive approaches. The role of the educational process in forming a culture of digital hygiene remains underdeveloped and warrants further scientific inquiry and practical solutions (Greba & Havryliuk, 2023).