Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of online bullying and abuse among young people.

Government works with the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) which is a multi-stakeholder forum representing over 200 organisations with an interest in internet safety. UKCCIS brings together government, industry, law enforcement, academia, charities and parenting groups to work in partnership to help to keep children and young people safe online. It develops and promotes effective tools and information for children and parents. Further information on UKCCIS’s activities can be found on the gov.uk website.

E-safety is taught at all four key stages as part of the national curriculum which is compulsory in state maintained schools. The Department for Education (DfE) has issued guidance for parents on how to protect their children from cyberbullying as well as guidance for teachers and schools.

DfE recently announced £1.6m of funding over the next two years to four anti-bullying organisations, to support schools in tackling bullying. All four projects include cyberbullying elements. In particular, Internet Matters are delivering a project to allow pupils to report bullying to schools online – including capturing and reporting online abuse.