Teenagers have used their experiences to create a campaign to encourage other Wiltshire people to speak out against online bullying.

A group of 11 Wiltshire Young Commissioners, who advise Wiltshire Council on issues affecting young people, have produced a film and sent out posters to help people recognise when someone is being bullied and show what they can do about it.

Kaylum House, 16, of Melk-sham, had a friend who was bullied online, which only stopped when he stepped in to help.

The Melksham Oaks pupil said: “It started by something that happened in class. It would have stopped if it wasn’t for social media, but it escalated behind closed doors. It takes one person to say it is not right. It is about having confidence to take that first step. I was that person.

“Bullying is a personal subject I feel passionate about and I don’t want it to happen to anyone else. People view cyber bullying as being a lot less serious than physical bullying, but the mental effects can be just as bad.”

The council is co-ordinating the campaign, launched during National Anti-Bullying Week with a viewing of the film at County Hall in Trowbridge on Monday.

Kaylum added: “I hope this will make people more aware of cyber bullying and show them how they can help to cut it down.

“Social media can have negatives, but it also has positives as the message can be spread via it. I hope people realise there are places they can go to get help.”

The teenagers are showing the film in school assemblies, to educate both pupils and teachers.

Kaylum said: “Teachers don’t recognise how serious cyber bullying is, but if they know about it they can offer extra support.”

The campaign is using the Twitter hashtag #breakthecycle. The film can be seen by going to www.youtube.com and searching for #breakthecycle.