We have noted previously that statistics on bullying are hard to obtain and that the Commons Education and Skills Committee has identified two types of bullying of particular concern: cyber-bullying and prejudice-driven bullying. The following is the latest research on the former from academics here in Cambridge, at Anglia Ruskin University:

Nearly one in five UK youngsters have been the victim of cyber-bullying, with girls affected more than boys, research has suggested. Many victims said the experience had damaged their confidence, mental health and even school attendance.

The study questioned almost 500 young people aged between 11 and 19 and almost a fifth (18.4%) admitted they had been subjected to cyber-bullying, in which a person uses the internet or mobile phones to bully another.

Of the 273 girls questioned, 60 (22%) said they had been subjected to cyber-bullying, while out of the 200 boys quizzed 27 (13.5%) said they had faced it. And two thirds (66%) of the young people questioned (312 people) said they had witnessed cyber-bullying or known someone who has been a victim.

The 87 youngsters who had experienced cyber-bullying as victims were asked what impact this had had on them. A third said it had affected their confidence "quite a lot" or "very" much, while half (52%) said cyber-bullying had affected their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Just over a quarter (29%) of those who had been cyber-bullied had stayed away from school, while more than a third (39%) had stopped socialising outside of school.

Of those 188 young people who answered a question about whether they would seek help with cyber-bullying, less than half (45%) said they would look for support. Those that said they would not seek help gave fear of making it worse and being able to deal with it themselves as some of the reasons.

A similar report published by the university at the end of last year, The impact of cyber-bullying on young people's mental health, made five practice and policy recommendations:

• Develop educational programmes around awareness for young people, parents/carers and schools.

• Deliver education that brings together young people and their families to enhance communication in relation to online media.

• Educate young people about what constitutes acceptable behaviour on line.

• Support young people to report incidents of cyber-bullying through other young people who could help change attitudes and provide a source of support to young people.

• Develop policies that take a holistic approach and which stress the importance of developing values of care and kindness amongst young people.

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