Publication “Bullying and Cyberbullying of Youth II.” was written by PhDr. Ľudmila Húsková, PhD., who works at the District Directorate of the Police Force in Martin, where she is a specialist clerk of the prevention unit. The book reflects the author’s practical experiences in case studies, which are the most original and, from the perspective of crime prevention, the most valuable part of her entire body of work. At the end of each chapter, an individual solution to the situation is presented, assuming that legal requirements are met. The positive motivation resulting from the entire book can only help its readers in the future when a child becomes an aggressor or a victim of unlawful conduct.
The author also deals with a psychological topic concerning aggression, its various manifestations and consequences in the process of cyberbullying and its subsequent spread from an individual to a collective. The author also deals objectively with the thematic connection between psychology and law. The point of contact between the two disciplines is their common goal, namely the modification of deviant behavior and especially the protection of society from its consequences, to which this publication should also contribute.
The chapters on risk behavior in adolescents and youth suicidality are significant, as they provide advice and recommendations for parents and helping professions.
The publication is supplemented with the issue of truancy and youth radicalization. It contains advice on how to work with the topics of radicalism and extremism in school.
The publication is oriented as a guide for parents, teachers, special pedagogues, and school psychologists, as well as the wider public, to broaden knowledge in this field for the early detection of the first symptoms and signals of bullying and cyberbullying.
1 Bullying
1.1 What You Need to Know About Bullying
2 Cyberbullying
2.1 Characteristics of Cyberbullying
2.2 For Parents, Teachers and Children
3 Personality of the Victim
3.1 Warning Signals in the Victim
3.2 Consequences of Bullying
3.3 What to Do If You Are a Victim of Bullying
3.4 Victim’s Parents
4 Personality of the Aggressor
4.1 Motives of the Aggressor
4.2 Consequences and Warning Signals in the Aggressor
5 Criminal-law Perspective on Bullying and
Cyberbullying
6 Help and Prevention
6.1 Procedure for the Bullied Child
7 Developmental Processes and Changes in Adolescence
8 Suicidality
8.1 Development of Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents
8.2 Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior
8.3 Help and Support
9 Truancy
9.1 Causes of Truancy
9.2 What Parents Can Do
9.3 Truancy and Legislation
10 Youth Radicalization and Extremism
10.1 Types of Extremism
10.2 Radicalization
10.3 Legal Framework of Extremism
10.4 How to Work with the Topic of Radicalization and Extremism at School
11 Cases from Practice
Review
Mgr. Lukáš Lacko / Criminological Psychologist
Psychologist within the EU project – helping professions at schools
In the introduction, I would like to express my thanks to the author, PhDr. Ľudmila Húsková, PhD., for the trust shown and the opportunity to review her publication Bullying and Cyberbullying of Youth, as well as its newest and substantially expanded edition Bullying and Cyberbullying of Youth II.
The issue of bullying is extremely closely intertwined with criminal psychology. As a psychologist working in cooperation with the Slovak Police Force, I specialize in psychological assessment of the credibility of witnesses, suspects, and accused persons, and regularly participate in interviews, especially of particularly vulnerable victims. In this practice, bullying is a frequent predictor of later delinquent or deviant behavior, not only in the sphere of crimes against persons but also in relation to youth delinquency, radicalization, and extremism. PhDr. Húsková’s publication therefore represents, for me, an important professional-practical source that fundamentally goes beyond the school environment.
The second edition of the publication is enriched with new chapters dedicated to truancy and youth radicalization. The author correctly defines truancy as a significant predictor of delinquent behavior and a gateway into criminal activity. In a criminological-psychological context, this phenomenon is especially important because it creates conditions for antisocial behavior (drug use, membership in criminal subcultures, or risky sexual behavior). The chapter dedicated to youth radicalization and extremism expands the publication’s thematic scope to an area that is currently highly topical also from the perspective of domestic security and prevention of hate-motivated crime.
A meaningful part of the publication is also the connection between psychology and law, especially through updated references to the Criminal Code and Directive MŠVVaM SR No. 1/2025.
The author also deals in detail with the psychological mechanisms of aggression. In criminological-psychological understanding, aggression is not only an individual trait but also a group phenomenon that can escalate into forms of organized violence. Special attention is paid to the development of the topic of ostracism as the initiatory stage of bullying—its early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in practice to prevent more serious criminal manifestations.
A particularly valuable chapter is also devoted to suicidal behavior in the context of bullying. In psychological expertise of victims, suicidal tendencies are linked to the long-term traumatic impact of the aggressor, which has consequences not only for the individual but for society as a whole.
Bullying and Cyberbullying of Youth II. presents itself as an interdisciplinary work with a pronounced reach into criminal psychology. It serves not only as a pedagogical-psychological guide but also represents an applicable methodological framework for professionals working in the criminal justice environment who are actively involved in prevention, investigation, or assessment of social-pathological phenomena.
In conclusion, it can be stated that PhDr. Ľ. Húsková’s publication, PhD., represents a scientific-professional contribution that bridges theory, practice, and the legislative framework. Its significance lies in strengthening prevention, early intervention, and a professional approach to bullying as a phenomenon with serious consequences not only for the individual but also for society as a whole.
For more about the publication, visit www.kriminalitamladeze.sk
Author: Ľudmila Húsková
Title: Bullying and Cyberbullying of Youth II.
Reviewers:
JUDr. Katarína Kocianová
Mgr. Lukáš Lacko
PhDr. Edita Rešetárová
PaedDr. Eva Kuková
Language editing: Mgr. Mária Mišovičová, Stanislav Marček
Text © PhDr. Ľudmila Húsková, PhD.
Publisher: LEVYD, s.r.o.
© Printing and graphic design P+M, s.r.o., 2025
ISBN 978-80-974983-1-3