Although young people are of the same or similar age, which could imply similar strengths and equality in relationships, gender-based partner violence is characterized by an imbalance of power in favor of young men, which only partially stems from their (often) greater physical strength and is primarily caused by social factors. Such behavior of men is supported by customs, traditions, culture, historical and social inequalities, which privilege men/young men/boys over women/ young women/girls in all spheres of public and private life. Traditional and conservative values and attitudes that privilege men lead to the effect of normalizing or even justifying the violence of men/boys and blaming women/girls (for what they did or did not do). However, the perpetrator is solely responsible for committing gender-based violence. It is prohibited by law, and institutions (including the school) are responsible for preventing it and protecting the victims. School is an important place where young people need to rectify inappropriate attitudes and behaviors, as well as learn about equality and positive emotional relationships.

Research on digital violence shows that it is not gender neutral and that particularly severe forms of violence affect women and girls more (e.g., sexual harassment and persecution). The consequences of that violence are similar to the consequences of violence in actual reality and can include disorders caused by stress, trauma, anxiety, sleep disorders, depression and physical pain. The consequences of digital violence can “spill over” into “real life” and can include – fear for one’s safety in the event of organized harassment; – isolation as a consequence of monitoring through applications or other means; – Lack of secure space due to the speed of uncontrolled dissemination of personal data and lack of protection or live diffusion of violence and abuse. We should not lose sight of the fact that the absence of signs that would indicate the consequences of violence does not mean that the violence does not affect the person who is exposed to it and that they are not affected by what is happening to them.