“Support is available. On our website teachers can access up-to-date guidance on how to keep themselves safe online, such as on social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter. They can also talk to our professional coaches and counsellors for free via our 24/7 Support Line and Online Support services for advice on dealing with the emotional difficulties it causes.
“It’s crucial that schools adopt meaningful and effective policies to address the problem and root out cyberbullying - whether it’s from pupils, colleagues or school leaders.”
In a survey of teachers conducted by Teacher Support Network and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers last year, one in seven respondents said they had experienced cyberbullying.
Almost one in five said they knew of colleagues who had become victims.
Although a significant proportion – 44 per cent – had been bullied by pupils, a startling 28 per cent said that a manager or colleague was behind the abuse.
39 per cent said cyberbullying had reduced their confidence and self-esteem, 25 per cent saying it reduced their effectiveness as a teacher and 6 per cent saying they were forced to take sick leave because of resulting illness or stress.
