Children in the south west are still at risk of so-called cyber-bullying, according to a survey by children’s charity the National Children’s Bureau.

The research, published today to mark the launch of national Anti-Bullying Week, found that cyber-bullying behaviours are commonplace, with 16 per cent having been the recipients of mean or cruel behaviour online and 22 per cent having witnessed the same behaviours directed at a classmate or friend.

It also suggests that some parents may be unintentionally exposing their children to inappropriate behaviour and cyber-bullying through lack of controls, and by setting up children’s access to social networks.

Findings showed that children and teens are prolific users of the internet; with 26 per cent spending between four and six hours or more online every day, with much of that internet use taking place away from the watchful eye of a parent.

It also found 53 per cent of children go online in their own room, 46 per cent on a games console and 66 per cent on a personal smartphone.

Nearly one in five (19 per cent) of teens admit to lying to their parents about what they’ve been doing online.

Luke Roberts, National Coordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “Cyber-bullying is increasingly an accepted part of online-culture.

“We know that young people are struggling to understand what is appropriate online behavior and how to keep safe, and that parents are struggling to know how best to protect their children from potentially harmful online experiences.

“As adults we need to teach children and young people digital skills and set boundaries so they are able realise the huge benefits and opportunities that the internet offers in terms of accessing information and making friends, but also ensures that they are safe and free from being bullied both online and offline.

“Currently there is no clear leadership, no co-ordination and no adequate educational model in place to tackle the growing issue of cyber-bullying.

“The Anti-Bullying Alliance are calling for a national debate on children and young people’s use of the internet and their online safety in the 21st Century, focusing specifically on cyber-bullying, which will bring together children, parents, industry, providers, NGOs, government, and educators.

“We need to make cyber-bullying a thing of the past and ensure a digital future for our children that is safe, fun and connected; where children take responsibility for their own safety online, but more importantly know where to turn for help when things go wrong.”

To help parents and children, McAfee and the Anti-Bullying Alliance have published an online paper: ‘Digital Deception: The Online Behaviour of Teens’, which aims to reveal the truth of cyber-bullying and other internet safety issues and give parents and children the tools they need to better protect themselves and their family.

The paper can be downloaded from today from http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/ and is accompanied by a series of online videos.

Meanwhile Wiltshire teenagers have masterminded a campaign which will be launched this month to encourage young people to speak out against online bullying.

Eleven teenagers, aged from 13-17, all Wiltshire Young Commissioners, have produced a film and sent out posters to schools challenging their peers to recognise when someone is being bullied online and how to do something about it.

Wiltshire Council has co-ordinated the campaign which will be launched during national Anti-Bullying Week on Monday with an event at County Hall, Trowbridge, where local schools, the police and other key agencies will watch the film.

The campaign will be using the twitter hashtag #breakthecycle and the film can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/breakthecyclevideo


Top statistics: South West

• Over half (56 per cent) of parents are concerned about their child being bullied online

• A third (33 per cent) of parents think that their child may have been bullied online; 11 per cent know this for certain

• Over a quarter (26 per cent) of parents think their child may be a cyber-bully themselves; 7 per cent have been told that their child is a cyber bully

• Nearly half (44 per cent) of children often go online without any parental supervision

• Nearly a fifth (17 per cent) of children have experienced mean or cruel behaviour online

• A quarter (24 per cent) of children have witnessed the cyber-bullying of a classmate or friend

• Nearly half (45 per cent) of parents have set up their children’s social profile; 21 per cent of children had a social network profile before they were 13 years old