In February 2023, a youth worker from Italy had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ training course titled “Countering Cyber-Aggression,” hosted in Berlin, Germany. The training brought together participants from across Europe to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time—online aggression. As technology becomes a central part of everyday life, young people are spending more and more time online. This digital space, while full of opportunities, also brings risks. The project focused on providing youth workers with practical tools, knowledge, and inspiration to recognize and prevent different forms of cyber-aggression. It was designed to build stronger, safer, and more inclusive digital environments where youth can express themselves freely without fear of bullying, hate, or harassment.
In Italy, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, online activity among young people increased sharply. Schools moved to digital classrooms, social events happened online, and much of teenage communication now takes place through apps and social media platforms. However, this shift also led to a rise in cyberbullying cases. In many small towns and rural communities, young people often feel isolated. They use the internet to connect, but sometimes those digital connections become toxic. Insults in group chats, fake accounts spreading rumors, or hateful comments on photos are sadly becoming more common. Teachers and parents often feel unprepared to deal with these new forms of violence. There is a lack of digital education in schools, and many youth centers do not have specific programs to help teenagers deal with online threats. The result is a generation of young people who are growing up in a world where online safety is not guaranteed.
The training course in Berlin was a powerful and eye-opening experience for the youth worker from Idee in Movimento. It created a safe and collaborative space where participants could talk openly about cyber-aggression and its many forms. It became clear that this problem is not just about direct insults or threats. It can also be more silent and invisible, such as repeated exclusion from digital groups, fake information used to hurt someone’s reputation, or constant negative comments disguised as jokes. One session during the training focused on mapping these types of online violence and understanding their psychological impact. Participants worked together to share personal experiences, case studies, and strategies used in their own countries.
Another strong element of the training was the focus on prevention. It introduced the idea that youth can become protectors of their own spaces if they are taught how. The training included interactive workshops on media literacy, teaching participants how to support young people in checking the truth of what they read online, identifying manipulation, and understanding the power of words and images. Participants also visited a Berlin-based organization that works with local schools and neighborhoods to raise awareness about digital safety. One of their best practices included student-led campaigns, where teenagers designed posters and short video clips about kindness online, digital boundaries, and respect. These materials were shared not only in classrooms but also on school social media pages.
Inspired by what was learned in Berlin, the youth worker returned to Italy with a clear goal: to create a local initiative that could bring the same impact. The project was named “NetRespect” and was implemented in collaboration with schools and youth centers in the region of Puglia. The main idea was to design a series of non-formal education workshops that would allow teenagers to explore the topic of cyber-aggression in a practical and personal way. The workshops used interactive tools like role-playing, small group discussions, and storytelling. Students shared their own experiences and learned how to recognize warning signs, support their peers, and react responsibly when they witness or experience online aggression.
The program also involved a creative element. Students were invited to design their own awareness materials—posters, drawings, poems, or social media posts—that carried messages of digital respect and inclusion. These were displayed in their schools and shared online as part of a youth-led campaign. Teachers received a digital safety toolkit with useful tips on how to speak with students about online behavior, along with activity ideas that could be easily used during class. The toolkit was simple, accessible, and focused on starting important conversations.
The “NetRespect” initiative made a noticeable difference in the local communities where it was implemented. Young people reported feeling more prepared to manage conflict in online spaces. Some students shared that they were able to support friends who were being bullied. Others said they had never before thought about the impact of a joke or comment posted online. Teachers said that students were more open and reflective in discussing digital life after the workshops. The project also caught the attention of local institutions. A municipality offered to support a public exhibition of the campaign materials, helping spread the message even further. Parents showed appreciation for the project, and some asked for similar sessions to be held for families.
The training in Berlin gave more than just knowledge. It provided a new way of thinking and a renewed sense of purpose. It proved that international exchanges can bring meaningful ideas that fit the needs of local communities. Most importantly, it reminded youth workers of the power they hold to inspire and guide the younger generation. In a world where communication is increasingly digital, it is essential that young people also learn empathy, responsibility, and respect in those same spaces.
Looking ahead, there is a strong belief that more efforts like this should be made across Italy and beyond. Digital safety should not be a privilege, but a basic right. Youth have the strength to lead, but they need support, tools, and spaces where they can grow with confidence. Erasmus+ projects like “Countering Cyber-Aggression” help build those spaces. They bring people together, share good practices, and create a common vision for a better, more respectful online world. The path is long, but every step matters. The project may have started in Berlin, but its lessons will continue to echo in communities like Puglia, led by youth workers, teachers, and young people who believe in a safer future for all.