How bullying changed over the years

FOLLOWING anti-bullying week (November 11) I want to talk about my time at NSPCC and how I feel bullying has changed over the years.

It was 17 years ago when I began volunteering for Childline when I was aged just sixteen.

I remember how anxious I felt on my first day. Taking my first Childline call was nerve-wracking as I wasn’t sure what the nature of the call would be. However, despite my nerves, after I finished that call I realised that I could do this and, more importantly, I had just helped a child in need.

That was just the beginning of my career at Childline. I continued to volunteer for the service whilst studying politics at university and then after I graduated I decided to follow my heart and take on a fulltime role working for the service. Seventeen years later I am now a Childline Service Manager in London.

The nature of bullying has changed significantly over the years. When I first started working for Childline it was predominantly name calling in the playground. Now, children can experience bullying on their phones whilst walking home or on their or laptops or tablets from the comfort of their bedroom.

Bullying, in all its forms, is the fourth most common concern that children and young people contact Chidline about. For a parent or carer, discovering that your child is being bullied is likely to trigger a huge range of emotions and it can be difficult to know where to start with supporting them. Letting them know that it is not their fault and that you’re there if they want to chat can make a massive difference.

Helping them identify trusted adults they can talk to if they don’t want to talk to you or recommending Childline can help them feel less alone.

The NSPCC’s Childline service provides a safe, confidential place for children, whatever their worry, whenever they need help. They can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk. Parents who want to learn more about the sites, games and apps their children are using can also visit the NSPCC’s and O2’s net aware website www.net-aware. org.uk/.

This year, as part of its antibullying campaign, Childline are also encouraging young people to support their friends who may be being bullied. A few words can make a real difference. So, spread the support and tell a friend “I got you”.

Hearing and seeing first-hand the difference that Childline makes to children’s lives is massively powerful. When it’s a cold Monday morning that is what gets me to work.

Alex Gray Childline Service Manager for London