• Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
• Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. ET
• Location: Online via Zoom

Bullying is often considered a group phenomenon in which bystanders are present. Many anti-bullying programs encourage bystanders to defend their victimized peers, in the hope that this ceases the bullying and improves victims’ psychological functioning. But does peer defending truly have these intended effects? And what about the defenders themselves—how risky or rewarding is it to step in? While many youth disapprove of bullying, only a few actually intervene, often fearing retaliation or a loss of social standing. Are these fears justified? To answer these questions, Dr. Laninga-Wijnen launched the large-scale SOLID project, gathering both survey and daily diary data from nearly 6,500 Finnish students in grades 4 to 9. During this presentation, she will share key findings of the SOLID project, shedding light on the risks and rewards of defending for victims and defenders.