Boys main target of cyber bullies

Boys are more likely to be taunted online over their body image than girls, according to an internet safety campaign poll.

The survey also shows one in five children has confided in their parents about being cyber bullied – but this is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.

The research was carried out by online safety group Internet Matters to mark the launch of their campaign #Pledge2Talk, which aims to encourage parents to discuss the issue with their children.

The survey quizzed 2000 British parents of children aged between nine and 16.

And 17.4 per cent said their sons had been bullied online over body image, while 15.7 per cent said their daughters had been victims.