Be a Buddy not a Bully - Two Educational Games to Help Prevent Bullying in Schools

Abstract

Bullying can have various negative short and long-term consequences for adolescents. With online technology expanding the occasions for bullying, developing solutions to prevent bullying and cyberbullying has become even more pressing. We have developed two prototypes of educational games to raise awareness of the consequences of bullying among adolescents by putting them into the role of a bystander. The two games differed in the form of gameplay: one allowed for explorative play while the other used a linear narrative. We report on first results obtained by evaluating both games in classrooms and reflect on how integrating such games into a classroom context can be beneficial. CCS CONCEPTS • Applied computing → Computer games; Education; • Social and professional topics → Adolescents.

Combating school bullying through multi-role experience-based virtual scenario learning model: Assessing empathy, problem-solving, and self-efficacy from a multi-stakeholder perspective

“…Therefore, they tended to choose a passive way to respond after answering incorrectly. These results are consistent with previous studies [ 6 , 8 , 30 ]. Combining a virtual reality learning mode with multiple role experiences can increase learners' awareness of the consequences of different scenarios, reduce negative emotions during the learning process, and ultimately improve learners' learning achievements.…”

“…Virtual reality enhances students' anti-bullying attitudes, sense of justice, empathy, and positive bystander behaviors, providing a better learning experience and triggering students' awareness of campus bullying. These results resonate with other studies [ 6 , 8 , 23 , 31 ]. Compared to a single role experience, incorporating multiple role experiences allows learners to empathize more with the feelings of the parties involved and promotes learners' positive behavior.…”

“…Role-playing as a victim can enhance awareness but may trigger negative emotions [ 7 , 24 ]. Conversely, the bystander perspective increases empathy but might lack engagement in the severity of bullying [ 8 , 25 ]. Calvo-Morata et al's [ 5 , 6 ] studies on educational games like “Conectado” show that first-person experiences can significantly improve understanding of bullying, though with emotional challenges.…”

“…Additionally, role-playing as a victim might trigger negative emotions for the learners [ 7 ]. Therefore, most studies have begun to focus on raising awareness and empathy for bullying in schools from the perspective of bystanders, and utilizing the power of bystanders to prevent and respond to bullying [ 8 ]. These studies use scenario-based stories to allow students to engage in virtual learning from the perspective of bystanders, increasing their understanding of the consequences of bullying behavior.…”

A Systematic Review of Computer Science Solutions for Addressing Violence Against Women and Children

“…In [80], the authors compare two prototypes of SG for PC that raise awareness about bullying amongst teenage students. Similar to Stop the Mob!, the prototypes are simulation-style games that aim to teach players about the consequences of bullying.…”