Technology is integral to young people's lives, opening up countless opportunities. But it also poses threats including the risk of being targeted, taunted and threatened via the devices they cherish.
In extreme cases, the misery caused by cyberbullying has driven teenagers to suicide and research from the Anti-Bullying Alliance suggests it is part of everyday life for more than half of all children. In its recent survey of more than 10,000 young people, Brighton-based anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label found seven out of 10 had been victims.
"Cyberbullying hurts your confidence and lowers your self-esteem," says 17-year-old Jade Wilson, a young ambassador for the alliance. "Because it's online, it is open to thousands of people all over the world and easily spread." The nature of social networking websites also means young people risk being drawn in as "virtual bystanders". Just by clicking "like" or sharing something, they're contributing to bullying.
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