Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman has asked the Welsh Government for assurances that it will continue to focus on tackling bullying in schools. Mrs Chapman spoke of the traumatic effect of bullying on young people, and drew attention in particular to statistics which showed high incidences of cyber-bullying around the UK.
Mrs Chapman said “Estimates suggest that 20% to 30% of children and young people, as well as over a third of teachers, have been victims of cyber-bullying. With new technologies and social media, there can be no escape even in your own home”.
Mrs Chapman raised the issue with Education Minister Leighton Andrews after discussions with headteachers in Cynon Valley, who spoke of the difficulties in monitoring such behaviours outside of the school environment. More generally, the charity Beatbullying referred to “epidemic” levels of cyber-bullying tackling place in 2011.
Mrs Chapman asked: “Minister, can you give me your assurances that you will continue to work on this issue to ensure that schools, parents and pupils receive the advice and support that they need to tackle cyber-bullying?”
Education Minister Leighton Andrews said: “Cyberbullying is specifically covered in the guidance that we published in the autumn, which is designed to help school leaders and staff familiarise themselves with the ways in which social media are currently being used by learners, and the potential abuse of that media. I have also set up a task and finish group to look at the issue of digital materials in the classroom”.
