Pupils get cyber bullying lessons

Lessons will show how mobile phones and e-mail can by used by bullies

Hundreds of primary school children in Cumbria are to be given an insight into cyber bullying.

Officers from Cumbria Police will be touring more than 20 schools to raise awareness of the issue with pupils and their parents.

Special lessons over a three week period will focus on how text, e-mail and social networking sites target vulnerable youngsters.

School heads have welcomed the move as tackling an often "hidden problem".

A Cumbria force spokeswoman said: "The experience of being cyber bullied, as with any bullying, can be very painful for those who are targeted.

"We know that intolerance for each others differences is often at the heart of this behaviour so we will be talking to young people to help them understand this and encourage them to build respect for one another.

"We do not want victims to suffer in silence so we are working to ensure young people have the confidence to tell a friend, teacher or their parents if they are having problems."

Allyson Stevenson, head teacher of Blennerhasset Primary School in Wigton, said: "We take the issue of bullying very seriously and we welcome this opportunity to address the problem of cyber bullying.

"We will be devoting a whole week to anti-bullying when children will be looking at what bullying is and how to deal with it."