Kids getting counselling for bullying up 20% since pandemic

The number of children receiving counselling for bullying has jumped by 20% since the end of the pandemic, according to child protection charity NSPCC.

The help and advice service Childline has revealed the number of counselling sessions given to young victims in the UK surpassed 8,000 last year, which was an increase on 2021.

This week, the Anti-Bullying Alliance has released guidance for children and parents on how to spot the signs of bullying, and what to do if you're a victim.

This Anti-Bullying Week, it's urging everyone to come together to talk about bullying, how 'banter' can turn into something more hurtful, and how it can be stopped.

See the advice and guidance issued by the Anti-Bullying Alliance:

Advice for children

1. Share how you are feeling with other young people. Childline’s monitored online message boards are a safe non-judgemental space where you can speak to other children who are in a similar situation to you about your experiences and feelings. This can help you feel less alone and will give you an online support network that you can turn to.

2. Talk to an adult you trust about the bullying you are experiencing so you feel less alone and so that adult can support you. This could be a parent, teacher or you can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 or online at childline.org.uk

3. Take a break from your device if you are being bullied online and do something you enjoy such as sport, listening to music or art.

4. Remember that bullying is not your fault.

5. Report and block someone if they are sending you messages online that upset you.

For Adults:

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied online:

• Not wanting to go to school or take part in normal activities.

• Getting anxious or angry if you go near their device.

• Feeling withdrawn, upset or angry at home.

• Problems sleeping or eating.

• Having angry outbursts that seem out of character.

• Spending more or less time online than normal.

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied in-person

• Belongings are getting lost or damaged.

• Physical injuries such as unexplained bruises.

• Being afraid to go to school.

• Not doing as well at school.

• Being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn.

• Problems with eating or sleeping.

• Bullying others.

'No longer does bullying stop at the school gates'

Children's safety experts say a combination of returning back to in-person education and the prevalence of social media has created a "relentless" bullying threat.

'Since the end of the pandemic, we've seen a 20% increase in bullying counselling sessions', said local campaigns manager for the NSPCC, Ellen Smith.

'Part of this is because children have been back in school and some of the areas in which they might experience bullying.

With the pandemic behind us they're back in those environments, and so the need for counselling has risen.

It does feel absolutely relentless. The nature of social media, the inability to switch off is a problem.'

She added: 'Children generally have access to devices and they see them all night and all day and on the weekends, so no longer does bullying stop at the school gates - it can eat into time out of school too.

The number of likes on a particular comment can also add to the feeling of being bullied. It's the reason we're seeing lots of interaction on the Childline website and helpline, where children are feeling there's really no let up or escape.'

The NSPCC's advice on what to do if you think your child is being bullied:

1. Talk to your child and remind them to come to you with anything that might be making them feel anxious or sad. If your child speaks to you about an experience of bullying that they’ve had online or in person, try to remain calm and don’t overwhelm them with questions and reassure them that it will be ok, and that you’re always there for them.

2. Show them how to report or block a message that they’ve received from someone online that upsets or worries them.

3. Don’t take their device away if they’ve had a negative experience online. Although you may want to do this if they are upset, this may make them feel like whatever has happened is their fault. Instead, suggest they take some time away from the app they received the messages on and do another online activity they enjoy like playing a game.

4. Know where you can get further support. Adults can call the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. There is also further advice on the NSPCC website.

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• anti-bullying week