Anti-Bullying Week is here and Childline has launched a new video so children can help a friend who is being bullied.

Childline’s London base delivered 786 online bullying counselling sessions in the past year compared with 504 in the year 2011-12.

However, the number of children suffering from online bullying is thought to be much higher. 

A quarter of the sessions included helping children with mental health and wellbeing issues such as low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and depression.

Children as young as seven have reported being targeted by hateful online abuse.

Following the charity’s latest report ‘What children are telling us about bullying’, which reveals the number of children and young people tormented by online trolls has increased by 88 per cent in five years, the video aims to help children support friends who are being bullied.

In the video vlogger Marina Joyce, who was bullied herself, talks about the signs to look for that signal someone is being bullied such as withdrawing from friends and social media.

The famous YouTuber also gives advice on what to do if you suspect your friend is being bullied such as telling a teacher, going to their parents or ringing Childline.

Chief executive of the NSPCC Peter Wanless said: “Online bullying is one of the biggest child protections challenges of this generation.

“It is a problem intensified by the ever-increasing presence of the internet.

“Years ago a child could escape their bullies when they left the playground and get some respite in the safety of their home, now the 24/7 nature of the internet means that a child can be targeted around the clock.

“Bullying, regardless of whether it occurs online or in person can have a devastating impact on a young person, affecting their self-worth, leave them feeling isolated and potentially being a trigger for depression.

In the worst case scenarios, bullying has driven children and young people to self-harm and even suicide.”

President of Childline Dame Esther Rantzen said “It is imperative that adults, parents and teachers, intervene to protect them (victims of bullying), because we have learned over the years from Childline callers that bullying does not stop on its own, left alone it gets worse. 

“Schools must take this problem seriously, and above all children must ask for help.”

The advice for children and young people experiencing bullying includes:

  • Tell an adult you can trust such as a teacher or parent
  • Calling Childline for advice and support on 0800 1111
  • If online, don’t be afraid to block and report the person
  • Don’t react, show the bullies you don’t care and they will often lose interest

NSPCC’s Childline website has an area dedicated to online bullying www.childline.org.uk for young people to share their experiences and offer support to their peers through message boards.

Let me know your view grainne.cuffe@london.newsquest.co.uk