For Anti-Bullying Week 2009 (November 16-20), bullying prevention charity Beatbullying has advice for kids and parents, as well as a message for "accessories" to cyberbullying: "laugh at it and you're part of it".

With this approach, the charity hopes to discourage kids from going along with cyberbullying or becoming bullies themselves, as well as helping the victims.

Teenage girl using a computer

What is cyberbullying?

Unfortunately, bullying is nothing new. But for young people growing up in a digital world, cyberbullying is on the rise.

Cyberbullying is when someone uses digital means like the internet (say, e-mail or social networking sites) or a mobile phone to deliberately harass, threaten or humiliate someone else.

Cyberbullying allows the perpetrator to harass their victim even when they're not in the same physical space. While someone might escape normal bullying by walking away, cyberbullying allows the bully to hound their victim wherever they go.

Cyberbullying activities include:

  • Sending nasty or threatening texts or e-mails
  • Posting abusive messages online - on a social networking site, in a chat room, or using instant messaging (eg. Windows Live Messenger)
  • Posting humiliating videos or pictures online, or sending them to other people
  • Assuming someone else's identity online in order to upset them
  • Setting up a hate site or a hate group on a social network site
  • Prank calling, prank texts and messages

Teenage boy using a computer

What can kids do?

  • If you're being bullied, the most important thing is to talk to someone. As well as friends, parents or carers, there are loads of people who can help, such as Cybermentors.org.uk, ChildLine on 0800 1111, a teacher or other trusted adult.
  • Don't retaliate or reply in anger - bullies are looking for a reaction and will soon get bored if they don't get what they want.
  • Block the bully's texts, messages and e-mails using the settings on your phone, social networking profile and e-mail account.
  • Adjust social networking privacy settings to high and keep them there.
  • Keep the evidence - learn how to keep records of offending messages, pictures or online conversations.
  • Protect your online accounts and keep passwords to yourself. Only give your mobile number to trusted friends.

What can parents do?

  • Talk to your children and understand the ways in which they are using the internet and their mobile phone. Make sure they know how to use this technology safely and responsibly.
  • Be aware that your child is as likely to be an unwitting accessory to cyberbullying as the actual target - by forwarding on e-mails, videos and images, for example.

Schoolgirls using a computer

If you suspect that your child, or another child in your care, is being bullied:

  • Assure them they are not to blame and remind them not to retaliate.
  • Help them use the safety features on their phone, e-mail account and on websites to block upsetting messages.
  • Ensure that privacy settings are set to high to stop unwanted contact.
  • Tell them to keep evidence of offending e-mails, text messages or online conversations.
  • Contact the child's school if the cyberbullying involves another pupil so they can take appropriate action.
  • If the cyberbullying is serious and a criminal offence may have been committed, consider contacting the police.
  • Contact ParentLine Plus on 0808 800 2222 if you want to talk to someone about it.

For safety advice on Windows Live products such as Hotmail and Messenger, see Windows Live Family Safety.

For more on cyberbullying, go to Beatbullying.org.