Today, for the National Day Against Bullying and Cyberbullying, the stage at Marlù Webboh Vibes in Sanremo was tinted BLUE to reflect the topic of the day. To raise awareness among young people, experts in the field were invited to the stage, and the results of the instant survey conducted by Webboh Lab were presented. Over 9,000 young people from the Webboh community between the ages of 13 and 20 responded to the survey in 48 hours.

Seventy per cent of respondents say they have felt bullied, confirming a dramatic trend already highlighted by events in the news.

When asked directly whether they have ever been a bully, 66% answered negatively. However, one in three admitted to being a bully, which expresses possible overlap between those who are bullied and those who, after being bullied, become bullies themselves.

According to 60% of respondents, bullying is not gender-specific, but a behaviour adopted equally by boys and girls, and for more than 75% of respondents, school is where bullying and abuse are most prevalent. For 68% of respondents, bullying is something that has always existed and it can affect victims of all ages.

The research outlined 4 profiles of ‘bullies’:

The Shadow (50.2%) is driven by personal insecurities and family problems and seeks acceptance through harmful behaviour. This person is a victim of bullying and shows a lack of empathy, with difficulties communicating and managing inner conflict, and requires external support to break the destructive cycle.

The Heartless Tyrant (20.9%) acts with deliberate malice and lack of empathy, motivated not by insecurities, but by a desire to dominate. This person is emotionally isolated, with a tendency not to seek support, and requires intervention to develop empathy and constructive strategies to resolve conflicts.

The Angry Fury (15.4%) is motivated by economic hardship and anger, expressing aggression not to gain fame, but as a direct result of frustration. This person shows a tendency to avoid confrontation and seek isolation, and requires strategies to manage anger and improve social relationships.

The Fake Fragile (13.5%) acts to compensate for vulnerability and lack of family support, often without intending to hurt the other person. Trapped in a cycle of anger and frustration, with difficulty managing conflicts and a tendency not to communicate problems, this person requires support to develop resilience and face challenges.

Webboh Lab, stemming from an encounter between Webboh (4 million followers on social media) and the Sylla research institute with Furio Camillo as scientific director, is the first permanent observatory on Gen Z. Webboh Lab is committed to hearing the voice of the younger generation, investigating and exploring their issues and bringing them to the table of people making decisions for them, the adults of tomorrow.