Our project aimed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and awareness of youth workers voluntarily engaged in our institutions, particularly in the areas of cyberbullying awareness and intervention strategies. We also focused on equipping them with creative drama and psychodrama methods, encouraging the practical application of these techniques. By utilizing these methods, we sought to foster empathy, equality, and social participation among young people. Additionally, we targeted raising cyberbullying awareness among 200–300 youths, aiming for at least a 30% increase in their understanding of the issue. To ensure broader impact and sustainability, we compiled all our work and methodologies into a comprehensive Youth Workers Handbook titled "My Safe Digital World", enabling more youth workers to benefit from the project's outcomes. Through this multifaceted approach, the project not only addressed immediate challenges related to cyberbullying but also contributed to building long-term capacity within youth work institutions to support safer digital engagement. By actively involving youth workers in the activities, the project empowered them to take ownership of prevention efforts and become leaders of change within their communities.
Over the past decade, digital technology has become deeply embedded in the daily lives of youth, providing them with new ways to communicate, learn, and socialize. However, this rapid digital integration has also led to increased risks, including exposure to harmful behaviors such as cyberbullying. The pandemic intensified these issues, as young people were forced to spend more time online due to lockdowns, school closures, and social distancing measures. This shift to virtual spaces meant that many young people experienced heightened vulnerability to online harassment and bullying, often with limited support or supervision. The project was launched to address the increasing use of excessive technological tools and the resulting cyberbullying problem among young people, which has been exacerbated during the pandemic. The identified needs included a lack of awareness and tools among us youth workers who work with young people to effectively recognize, prevent and intervene in cases of cyberbullying. There was also an urgent need to support disadvantaged young people, especially those who lack safe digital environments. The project seeks to foster a safer digital environment by strengthening the capacity of youth workers.