COUNSELLING for children who have been victim to online bullying has risen to its highest level.

The NSPCC said last year Childline counselled more children about cyber-bullying than ever before, with 5,103 counselling session in 2016/17, up 12 per cent on the previous year.

Details released to mark Anti-Bullying Week showed name-calling, rumours, death threats and public blackmail on social media profiles were just some of the ways young people were being tormented, and North Yorkshire Police said the trend had continued in our region.

Martha Evans, national coordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance who runs Anti-Bullying Week, said: "These worrying statistics from the NSPCC shows what an important issue cyber-bullying is for young people today. The social pressures that children face are immense and this is compounded by messaging online. We know bullying often starts face to face and spreads into the digital world."

Children as young as nine have reported being targeted by online bullies, with girls and 12-15 year-olds receiving the most counselling sessions about the issue.

Detective Inspector Darrin Knight of North Yorkshire Police’s Cybercrime Unit said online bullying was "a significant issue up and down the country, including here in North Yorkshire".

Det Insp Knight said: "We treat online bullying the same as any other type of bullying as we fully understand it has the same damaging impact upon victims. Officers will always take reports seriously and thoroughly investigate the circumstances.

"We work with partner agencies and those who work with children and young people, to ensure any necessary action is taken and that support mechanisms are in place. Education is also key, and we encourage parents and carers to be are aware to their child’s online activity to make sure they stay safe."

The NSPCC has called on the Government to create rules enshrined in law requiring social media sites to protect children from cyber-bullying and online abuse, urging moderators to send notifications to young people being targeted, and strict privacy settings as default.

*Children and young people can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk