The digital twin of bullying - data-driven bullying prevention

Purpose and goal:

By combining modern digital solutions, research on bullying and systematic anti-bullying work, the aim has been to create safer school environments and reduce bullying in Swedish schools. The goals: 1) Develop and spread an automated tool for the systematic anti-bullying work 2) Construct "the digital twin against bullying" based on existing and open data and 3) Contribute to a new national standard for systematic anti-bullying work, have been successfully achieved. The project has, to varying degrees, achieved the various results- and impact goals.

Expected results and effects:

After the project, the tool has been used by 19 schools and if the tailored recommended measures are implemented, they have had an effect on the safety and wellbeing of 3441 children. We have developed a cost-effective and equal method to reduce bullying through more reliable predictions of which interventions have the greatest effect. A prototype for "the digital twin against bullying" exists and a plan for continued development and sales has been drawn up in collaboration with the project´s partners.

Approach and implementation:

We have followed the original plan for set-up and implementation: made a needs inventory, developed research-based survey questions and recommended interventions, evaluated and decided on the design of technical platforms, developed and tested our prototype tool in pilot schools, integrated open data from Skolverket and Skolinspektionen for all Swedish school units in our tool, exchanged knowledge and ideas with authorities and leading researchers and disseminated information about the project, both in Sweden and internationally.