On the occasion of today’s International Day Against School Violence and Bullying, Vassilis Giannakopoulos, senior. head of KEFIAP PGNP- sociologist, challenges us to reflect on how deeply rooted the culture of violence is in modern society. From aggression in family relationships to the lax treatment of cyberbullying, we wonder if violence in schools is just the mirror of a social problem that begins long before the classroom door.
Sharply and without embellishment, it analyzes the mechanisms that foster bullying and confronts us with the responsibility we all have—as parents, educators, and society as a whole. Are we ready to admit the source of the problem?
– What social and psychological characteristics do you think encourage violent behavior among students today?
Socially, it has been stated many times that issues related to poverty and economic inequalities are enough to trigger some situations especially at young ages, and not only. Regarding the psychological, we understand that after a covid period in our country too, there was a differentiation. People lived in isolated places, they had no social contacts, there were no public events, there was a distancing. The years pass but some characteristics – especially among young people – remain, so the long hours on the screen, the reduction of free time, etc., show an isolation in ourselves. Many times we have noticed that there is also apathy, we do not connect emotionally. The more distant we are, the more likely we are to exhibit various bullying behaviors. And when we talk about bullying it is not only verbal, indirect or physical. There is now also the electronic one which nowadays – with the relationship that we and the younger people have now with technology – is very easy.
– How do you interpret the evolution of intra-school violence in schools in recent years, compared to when you were a student? Has violence increased or are we just more aware?
In general the publicity of various events increases as our time evolves since we were students. This means that anything can be reproduced at any time on radios, televisions, newspapers, etc. So, a channel of strengthening the incidents is their publicity, which of course also responds to the interest society now has in such incidents. On the other hand, I think that even in our own, earlier, era there were these incidents and I don’t think their rhythms or intensity were very different, because we can all recall something similar. But parents now have a different approach. They become more overprotective, try to isolate the children from reality and everyday life, protect them. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I think that the exposure of the events is more intense and of course, as I said before, it is connected to the interest of our society in such incidents. I think that to some extent, a part of the parents have changed their attitude towards the children, they are friendlier, more condescending and cooperative, and they try to supervise some conditions which sometimes have serious results. There are hospitalizations, injuries, attacks. There is a strong delinquency, which threatens the integrity of children.
– Technology has transformed bullying into something more insidious and lasting. Can a child really be protected in the digital world, and who bears the responsibility in this process?
The responsibility, not to hide behind our finger, belongs to the parents, of course depending on the ages. In fact, we are now at a point of maturity where we can decide how children of the respective ages can use social media and the internet. There are many applications that can guide parents to “monitor” – with the consent of the children – their activity, there are specific times provided by age. It is a difficult process and it is not easy to achieve this. Of course, don’t forget that there are also trainings for these. One can educate, prepare and know and accordingly inform their child as well. There are ways, it is not easy, but I would like to emphasize a point that has been formulated many times and it concerns the relationship between parents and children. I think that’s where the biggest problem lies. There is a distancing, little free time, no shared time with the family, to go for a walk, an excursion, everyone is with a mobile phone in hand… There are such issues quite serious.
Vassilis Giannakopoulos examines the influence of technology, family relationships and society on the spread of violence
– Do you think the impact of cyberbullying can be more traumatic than classic school bullying?
I think that in general, the risks that arise through the internet and as they evolve through new technologies, are quite complex and multi-layered. Certainly, young people are not ready for this. This is why we see many times, many unpleasant news, with many complications which leave very significant wounds in the psyche of a child and a young person. I think there are enough risks and we can defend our activity on the internet, when we know what can happen, how we can be trapped, how we can be recorded, how communications with strangers are not allowed, requests, acceptances, etc. There are very big risks that when you know them, it is not very easy to enter this process simply out of curiosity. They are more important than seeing something. So I think there are ways and it definitely takes a lot of effort from the family circle, because that’s where everything starts. And this means that we should train, try, change some habits. There are many ways and it is easy to mobilize young people, as long as you give them things that interest them and have a challenge for them. Risks are connected from finances to our psyche, so it would be good to deal with them in moderation and safety.
– In which cases do you think that school violence is related to the wider culture of violence and its acceptance at the family or societal level?
You also know that both the education system and the teachers always refer to the family circle. It is true that when we face many problems and tensions in the family circle, these expand and extend to the school, which is the main body of education for children up to a certain age. It is very difficult for children who live in violent environments to be able to disengage from them. For children and young people, it is an outlet to be able to impose themselves on a group or a person. They think they have mastered something. There are several reasons. Violence needs a comprehensive response. There is no reason why people today should tolerate such behavior, from verbal to physical, let alone with serious consequences for their integrity. We should have the maturity to deal with these toxic people and behaviors, with definitive solutions. It is better for a family to make a decision to live apart than if these problems and violent behaviors continue. What example will a boy or a girl take when they receive a similar behavior from their parents? It is very difficult to escape from it.
– What responsibilities do parents and teachers have in preventing school bullying? Do you think they are doing enough, or are they ignoring clues for convenience?
If we want to be a little true with ourselves, Greek society – and not only – faces many problems related to its ethics and culture. Not that other societies are very different, but we are talking about Greece, which has in its history Turkish rule, etc., etc. Historians have analyzed these many times. We should be true to ourselves: there are issues of culture and issues of morality. As long as we allow these traumas to be taken for granted in Greek culture, the issue of violence will continue in children and in schools. He wants a comprehensive treatment. To understand that something like this is not permissible, it is not admissible, it is not acceptable. There is no leeway to give the abusers. It’s not something you negotiate and it’s not something you allow to happen. If this is dealt with comprehensively and radically, then slowly things will begin to change. A family cannot teach their children and generally by their attitude show that it is not permissible to use violence, and cannot that child meet a partner later who will allow it. He has now built up his resistance and immediately cuts off any relationship with such people. But if he lives in a similar environment then it goes without saying that he will consider this to be “normal” to happen. Well, it’s a matter of culture and we still have a way to go. But efforts are being made. We should recognize that the Ministry of Education with the new regulations and the latest measures, is trying to impose some conditions.
– What initiatives or strategies do you consider most effective for long-term reduction of the phenomenon in schools? Are there examples of other countries that we could adopt?
There are always good practices. The point is that these good practices, we from the social sciences, say that you don’t bring them to “wear” in a country. You can see the general logic that has been applied in other countries, but you have to analyze the local characteristics of your society and transform or adapt them. So in Greece too I think steps are being taken, we are trying both in education and in the family with various ways of raising awareness, programs, legal and with the media that highlight the experts who explain the dangers of the internet etc. I believe that we can follow many steps and to implement practices that will certainly change the landscape to a significant extent. It just takes time and persistence.
#discussion #Vassilis #Giannakopoulos #pelop.gr
**Interview with Vassilis Giannakopoulos on School Violence and Bullying**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Vassilis. As we observe the International Day Against School Violence and Bullying, what do you see as the root causes of violent behavior among students?
**Vassilis Giannakopoulos:** Thank you for having me. I believe the roots of violent behavior stem from a combination of social and psychological factors. Socially, issues like poverty and economic inequality can trigger violent responses, especially among younger people. Psychologically, the isolation many experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting mark. Young people find themselves spending more time on screens and less time engaging in meaningful social interactions, which fosters distance and apathy. This lack of emotional connection significantly increases the likelihood of bullying behaviors, whether they manifest as verbal, physical, or electronic bullying.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned how exposure to incidents of violence has changed over time. Do you think violence in schools has actually increased, or are we simply more aware of it now?
**Vassilis Giannakopoulos:** The visibility of these incidents has certainly increased with the media’s role in amplifying reports of school violence. It gives the impression that violence is more rampant than before. However, I believe that while the experiences of violence might not have drastically changed, the reactions of parents and society have shifted. Parents are becoming more protective, and the culture has grown more sensitive to these issues. Nonetheless, the underlying problems have likely persisted throughout the years.
**Interviewer:** With technology playing such a significant role in today’s society, can children truly be protected from cyberbullying, and who is responsible for that protection?
**Vassilis Giannakopoulos:** Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the parents—each age group has its own set of responsibilities. It’s crucial for parents to monitor their children’s online activities and set clear boundaries, all while fostering open communication. Training these children on the safe use of technology is essential. However, we must also recognize that the family dynamic is changing. There’s a growing distance within families, with members often isolated by their devices. Thus, investing quality family time is just as important to combat these issues.
**Interviewer:** In your experience, does cyberbullying tend to have a more significant impact than traditional bullying?
**Vassilis Giannakopoulos:** Yes, I believe it can be more damaging. The anonymity and permanence of online interactions can compound the trauma experienced by victims. Young people often lack the readiness to navigate the complexities of online interactions, making them susceptible to various risks. The emotional scars from cyberbullying can last a lifetime, and this reality underscores the need for comprehensive education about online safety within family settings.
**Interviewer:** How does school violence connect with the broader societal acceptance of violence?
**Vassilis Giannakopoulos:** Children who grow up in violent households are naturally prone to reflect those behaviors in school settings. The educational environment can only act as a buffer to a certain extent. It’s crucial for us to understand that violence is symptomatic of larger issues within families and society. We must adopt a comprehensive approach to address and eradicate these toxic behaviors, promoting healthier familial relationships as a starting point.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what roles do parents and educators play in preventing bullying, and do you think they are effectively fulfilling those roles?
**Vassilis Giannakopoulos:** Parents and educators hold significant responsibility in preventing bullying, yet there’s often a lack of awareness or willingness to confront these issues head-on. We need to be honest about the existing cultural and ethical challenges we face. A shift in mindset is necessary—accepting that violence in any form is unacceptable should be non-negotiable. The focus must be on proactive prevention and tackling the ingrained issues within our society that fuel such behavior.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Vassilis, for sharing these important insights. Your analysis highlights the deep-seated issues we need to confront as a society to make real change.
**Vassilis Giannakopoulos:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these critical issues. It’s time we all reflect on our roles in fostering a safer environment for our children.