THE number of children becoming targets of cyber bullying is on the rise.

As part of anti-bullying week this week, the NSPCC has released figures for the number of children receiving counselling for cyber bullying.

New figures reveal Childline delivered 5,103 counselling sessions in 2016 and 2017 – a 12 per cent increase from the previous year.

Name-calling, spreading rumours, death threats and blackmail were just some of the ways young people told counsellors they were being tormented.

Children as young as nine told Childline counsellors they were being targeted by online bullies. Cyber-bullying is also contributing to young people’s mental health issues.

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder and president of Childline, said: “Young people these days rely upon their mobile phones and social media to keep in touch with their friends, but inevitably that makes it easier for bullies to pursue their victims relentlessly.

"Whether bullying occurs online or in person it can have a devastating impact on a young person, destroying their confidence and leaving them isolated and vulnerable.

“Every year as a nation we lose precious young lives because bullying has made children and teenagers feel that life is not worth living. Childline wants to remind young people that they are not alone."

The NSPCC is calling on the Government to draw up a rulebook to require all social media sites to protect children from cyber-bullying.

The charity has also published advice for parents if they think their child is being bullied online.

Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.

Have you had experience with/overcome bullying online? Contact the Gazette on 01206 508414.