Cyber tools to cut school bullying

A NEW website and mobile phone app will help students and parents address bullying in schools.

The Bullying No Way! website and the Take A Stand Together mobile app, to be launched by federal School Education Minister Peter Garrett to mark today's National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, will help address the problem.

But Mr Garrett warned that ongoing education and action was needed.

"Bullying is a very serious issue, with research showing that one in six students are bullied weekly and one in four students are bullied at least once over a period of a few weeks," he said.

"These tools will show students and parents how to identify and deal with bullying and will include educational games and videos, which touch on the newest form of bullying, cyberbullying.

"The use of hand-held devices and social media have seen the rise of more covert types of bullying, such as cyberbullying. This presents us with a whole new range of challenges, but we are committed to working with parents, students and schools to tackle this important issue."