Bullying and cyberbullying in the school context

Introduction: school bullying is defined as repeated aggressive behaviour involving a power imbalance, recognized as a public health priority since the late 20th century. Cyberbullying emerged alongside digital expansion, characterized by perpetrator anonymity and the permanence of online messages that extend harassment beyond physical school boundaries.Objective: to describe the phenomenon of the bullying and the ciberbullying against girls, children and adolescents in the school context.Development: global prevalence reaches 25 % for traditional bullying and 11-17 % for cyberbullying, with heightened risks for sexual minorities and females. Victims of both modalities face 5,30 times the risk of depression and are 7,82 times more likely to attempt suicide. Academic achievement drops by 38 %, influenced by cognitive-motivational factors and sleep disturbances. Physical symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and loss of appetite, are also significantly associated with victimization.Conclusions: evidence suggests up to 40 % of youth mental health issues are attributable to bullying. Comprehensive school interventions must be implemented, prioritizing the strengthening of teacher support as a critical protective factor for self-esteem to prevent lifelong psychiatric and socioeconomic difficulties.