How Can We Combat Cyber Aggression in Schools Today

...With Protyasha Bhattacharyya

Kicking off 2026 this episode dives into the latest research on cyber aggression and its effects on young people. We explore new findings about how different parenting styles can influence online behaviour, and why fostering psychological safety in schools is more crucial than ever. Listeners will discover practical, up-to-date strategies for teachers to help students navigate digital spaces safely and kindly. The episode concludes with a curated list of fresh resources for continued learning, setting a positive tone for the year ahead and empowering everyone to create kinder, safer online communities.

• Background and qualifications of Protyasha Bhattacharya in psychology and criminology.
• Definition and implications of cyber aggression, including its distinction from traditional bullying.
• Impact of cyber aggression on young people's mental health, motivation, and academic performance.
• Influence of parenting styles on adolescents' experiences with cyber aggression.
• Overview of the four parenting styles and their potential relationship with cyber aggression.
• Challenges in researching cyber aggression, including data collection and sample size limitations.
• Demographic factors that may predict cyber aggression, such as educational attainment.
• Recommendations for educators to address and reduce cyber aggression in schools.
• Importance of ongoing research into cyber aggression, including cultural factors and digital environment influences.

Resources:

Childnet International: https://www.childnet.com/

UK Safer Internet Centre: https://saferinternet.org.uk/

UK Department for Education - Preventing Bullying: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying

DfE Online Safety Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teaching-online-safety-in-schools/teaching-online-safety-in-schools

Journals:

Computers in Human Behavior: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/computers-in-human-behavior

Journal of Adolescent Health: https://www.jahonline.org/

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/cyba