Virtual Reality and 360° Video in the Prevention of Bullying and Cyberbullying: a Systematic Review and Selection of a Technological Platform

Abstract

Bullying and cyberbullying are taking on new spatial, immersive and avatar-based forms in virtual reality and the metaverse. This article systematises knowledge on the use of immersive technologies in the prevention of bullying and cyberbullying and assesses options for an intervention based on 360° video. A Scopus search covered publications from 2005 to 2026. The final analytical dataset comprised 29 primary publications, supplemented by seven review, perspective and symposium-report sources. The findings indicate that 360° video can safely convey the perspectives of a victim, bystander or uninvolved observer and may support empathy and decision-making. A descriptive comparison of three VR headsets suggests that a 360° video intervention delivered through standalone devices may offer a suitable balance between educational value, technological complexity and financial requirements, providing a basis for a scalable school-based preventive intervention.