9:56pm Sunday 3rd February 2008
A charity has reported a sharp increase in the number of children being bullied over the internet.
Parentline, a national and free charity based in Hertfordshire, says more and more concerned parents are calling about so called cyber bullying'.
In response the charity have launched an anti-bullying campaign called Be Someone To Tell to help parents deal with problem.
One parent, calling about her daughter, told the charity: "She gave me her mobile, crying her heart out. There were 27 vicious texts from a gang of girls, sent over just one week."
Last October, Parentline Plus answered almost 300 calls about cyber bullying.
Sandra Hiller, area manager of parentline plus: "This is an issue that many parents are concerned about, particularly at this time of year when kids may have received computers and mobile phones for Christmas and are making full use of them during the dark nights.
"The popularity of these new technologies is a fact of life and the more aware parents are, the better able they'll be able to communicate with their kids about keeping safe.
"By understanding the risks and knowing what signs to look for, parents can not only stop the bullying, but make sure it doesn't happen in the first place."
A booklet detailing how to tell if child is being cyber bullied, what to do and who to turn to for help is available to all parents - call parentline on 0808 800 22 22 or visit www.parentlineplus.org.uk
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