According to Ofcom’s 2022 Media Use and Attitudes report, children are now more likely to be bullied via technology than they are to experience it in person. An alarming 84% of 8 to 17-year-olds who reported being targeted said it had taken place via messaging, social media, online gaming and so on, as opposed to 61% who had been intimidated face-to-face.

Just like its offline counterpart, cyber-bullying creates feelings of isolation and anxiety in its victims, along with a loss of self-esteem and potentially thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In support of Anti-Bullying Week, today’s NOS #WakeUpWednesday guide has expert tips on how trusted adults can help to prevent online bullying or reduce its damaging effects.

Ofcom’s research also indicated that two-thirds of parents and carers admitted to being worried about their child becoming the victim of bullying in the digital world – more than half of them specifying online video games as a particular area of unease. Concern was especially high among the parents of slightly older children: the 8–15 age bracket. NOS’ #WakeUpWednesday guide, to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week 2022, pulls together tips for trusted adults – including how to spot the warning signs in a child who’s being bullied online, how you might respond if a young person opens up to you about such a situation and what steps you could take together to help make them safer from internet aggressors.