High School's cyber-bullying drive

‘Cyber-bullying’ is no longer a new phenomenon and it can have an extremely damaging effect on young people’s emotional and mental well-being.

So last week pupils from Limavady High, as part of the school’s ongoing anti-bullying programme, took part in the training, which was delivered by the Dry Arch Centre in Dungiven.

A spokesperson for the School explained: “During anti-bullying week our newly appointed School Council received training from The Dry Arch Children’s Centre through an interactive ‘Cyberpal’ programme.

“They were able to develop skills which will be invaluable in their roles as ‘anti-bully buddies’ this year.

“Learning for Life and Work (LLW) classes, shared with St. Mary’s High School, also worked through various activities during the week in relation to anti-bullying.”

Anti-Bullying Week is an annual event, coordinated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum.

It takes place over November 14-18.

The Forum defines cyber bullying as “bullying behaviour that is displayed through mobile/smart phones or the internet”.

This could include hurtful, embarrassing or threatening material posted online (eg. on social network websites); nasty messages sent as texts, emails or other websites or apps; being excluded from an online game; fake profiles on a social network to make fun of others.

Cyber bullying can happen in many different ways. It can be part of a bullying situation that is going on in the physical world or one that is just happening in the cyber world.

For more information on bullying visit the www.endbullying.org.uk.