This in from the council, in their own words, Ed
The theme of this year’s ABW, which takes place between 18 – 24 November, is cyber bullying. Research last year by The Children’s Society showed that 34 per cent of young people on the island who responded to a survey of 5000 children and young people had experienced some form of bullying in the previous year. Of these, 20 per cent had experienced bullying online or through texting.
Isle of Wight Anti Bullying Group
A website has also been produced by the Isle of Wight Anti Bullying Group and contains information and advice on how to stop cyber bullying and also to help parents understand and tackle the issue by learning how to keep their children safe online. The website will be live from Monday 18 November.
The video has been produced by Isle of Wight College students Ellie Swan and Steven Logue.
It shows two young people relating their experiences of cyber bullying, followed by a montage of information and help points that are available to young people on the Island if they are in need of help to deal with cyber-bullying in any form.
Cyber bullying can be just as damaging
Richard Priest, the Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for children’s services said:
“We live in a modern age where children and young people can access the digital world at the click of a button, whether this be from a computer, a tablet device or their mobile phones.
“Bullying does not have to be physical and we know that cyber bullying can be just as damaging as any other form. It can be through social media sites or text messages and teachers and parents are not always able to provide the advice and support young people need to crack down on cyber bullying.
“We need a collaborative approach to tackling cyber-bullying, so children themselves can take responsibility for their own safety online and for their own behaviour. They should know not to join in with cyber bullying and know where to turn for help when things go wrong. Children should be able to enjoy a digital future that is safe, fun and enriching.”
Schools across the Island will be delivering their own ABW activities. This includes Hunnyhill Primary School where anti bullying ambassadors will be presenting an assembly to all pupils on Monday 18 November.
