Thousands contact ChildLine over bullying concerns

More than 2,000 children contacted ChildLine volunteers at the helpline’s Welsh bases about bullying last year.

Bullying is now ranked as the third most common reason for children contacting the children’s helpline in Wales in 2015-16¹.

Of the 22,936 contacts received by Welsh ChildLine bases in 2015-16, 2,112 (10%) were about bullying and cyber bullying.

Prestatyn’s ChildLine base dealt with 1,826 contacts about bullying, whilst volunteers at Cardiff’s ChildLine base carried out 286 counselling sessions.

NSPCC Cymru/Wales has revealed the number of contacts to the Cardiff and Prestatyn bases as the children’s charity marks Stand Up To Bullying day on Tuesday, July 5 and highlights the help and advice it offers children on how to deal with bullying.

A spokesman from NSPCC Cymru / Wales, said: “Every day children are contacting ChildLine about being bullied.

“It has consistently been one of the most common concerns raised by children ever since ChildLine was set up 30 years ago.

“Over the years the nature of bullying has changed. Once restricted to the playground, it now follows children home via social media and the increasing use of mobile phones.”

Bullying can have a devastating impact on a young person’s life. It can leave them feeling anxious, depressed, lonely, worthless and scared. ChildLine is there to help.

If a child is being bullied, ChildLine counsellors advise them to:

1. Tell someone – speak to a friend, parent/guardian. Even if they’re not ready to take it further they can offer them support.
2. Tell a teacher – they have a duty to care for their pupils and will be able to tackle the problem.
3. Find a way to stay safe – stay away from people known to be involved in bullying, if bullying happens on the way home make sure they’re accompanied or get a lift.
4. Block the bully – make sure they don’t have access to social media accounts and don’t reply to any abusive messages as this can make the situation worse.
5. Build self-esteem – it is easy to start believing that the insults are true, even though they are not. Getting confidence back can help children deal with bullying.

Anyone being bullied can speak to a counsellor by calling 0800 1111 or through a one-to-one chat online at www.childline.org. There is also advice from other young people on the online message boards.

An NSPCC spokesman added: “Bullying can happen to anyone at any age. No one has the right to hurt you or make you feel bad and if you are being bullied you don’t have to put up with it, you can talk to someone about it. You are not alone – ChildLine can help.”