EXMOUTH parents are being called on to help their children stay safe in cyberspace as part of Anti-Bullying Week this week.

EXMOUTH parents are being called on to help their children stay safe in cyberspace as part of Anti-Bullying Week this week.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) is made up of over 60 UK-wide organisations, including the NSPCC.

Last year 509 children and young people - 340 girls and 169 boys - spoke to counsellors at Exeter ChildLine about bullying.

In one instance a teenage girl was taunted about her weight, so she started eating just once a day and is now a size six.

And in another incident a small boy was humiliated at school by some 'big boys' over along period, pushing him on the floor and pulling his trousers down in front of classmates.

NSPCC head of child protection awareness and chair of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, Chris Cloke said: "Cyber bullying is one of the worst, most menacing forms of bullying because it can be so hard to escape.

"It can follow children around 24 hours a day, targeting them whenever they are online or on their mobile phone, even at home.

"It is especially worrying that some children are still not reporting it. I would urge any young person to tell someone they trust, like a teacher, a parent or ChildLine. Bullying online is as serious as bullying in the real world and it must not be tolerated."

For more information go to: www.childline.org.uk.