Parents in Ireland are growing increasingly concerned about the issue of cyberbullying, new research has suggested.

Commissioned by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), the survey revealed almost one in five respondents believe their son or daughter has been the victim of online bullying, while more than half admitted to checking their child's internet activity on a weekly basis.

The study was carried out by Amarach Research and showed that while 18 per cent of mums and dads think their child might have been victimised in this way, 12 per cent are concerned that their child may be the one doing the bullying.

Clive Byrne, director of the NAPD - which was inaugurated in 1998 - urged parents and carers to remain vigilant where the issue of internet bullying is concerned, explaining responsibility for addressing the problem needs to be shared across society.

Mr Byrne stated: "We must empower our children to use the new tools of the information age while at the same time educate them about the terrible harm they can cause."

Written by Donal Walsh

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