While the emotional aspects of bullying continue to be devastating, the internet and social media have changed the way children experience bullying.

There have always been school bullies. There have been as omnipresent as the teachers, surly dinner ladies, funny smells and Bunsen burners. Whilst many of us may angle the old chestnut that it nothing new is inaccurate.

In most cases bullies existed during school hours. Now there’s no off switch. Cyberbullying is a new order and because it wasn’t around during our education years our duty as parents is to learn about it and get informed.

Love Young People has found this great infodump to help you learn all there is to know about cyberbullying, just in case you’ve never heard of it, don’t understand it’s impact and maybe need to help a loved one by learning what they may be going through. See how you can help because it’s very real, but there are avoidance techniques.

Visit: https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/cyberbullying/learn-about-it/ to see how you can help.

LYP says: Over the last few years we’ve been listening to young people’s testimonies about how they’ve been bullied online and we’ve also noticed a dramatic increase in the number of mental health issues arising through cyberbullying. We know some schools are more proactive in addressing the rise of online bullying but sadly most schools are not. That is why LYP is trying to work alongside young people in and out of schools to improve their self-esteem through workshops and courses.

If you’re interested in finding out more, chat to us.