Education chiefs are teaming up with a UK anti-bullying organisation to ensure they are best equipped to counter the threat of online harassment.

Officers are contacting the North-West Anti-Bullying Alliance to keep up to date on measures to stop bullying.

Education Minister Graham Cregeen told Tynwald on Tuesday: ’We define bullying as behaviour of an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group physically or emotionally.

’The nature of bullying changes over time. Our most recent information indicates a shift from face-to-face bullying to cyber-bullying.’

This was more difficult for schools to monitor and also required them to alter the advice they give,’ he said.

’Schools are actively promoting e-safety events for parents and students, supported by the department and colleagues in government technology services.’

The Department of Education and Children was determined to ensure the ’most appropriate and up to date advice’ was available, which was why the department was contacting the alliance.

’We intend to work with them to totally refresh our messages to staff, students and parents,’ the minister continued.

Work would take place to ’establish an accurate picture of bullying in the island’s schools’.

Mr Cregeen added: ’Training has recently been organised for 50 secondary school students to become anti-bullying ambassadors, helping to educate peers, lead campaigns and promote a culture which celebrates and tolerates difference.

’We are looking to undertake online training for staff within our schools.’

The minister was responding to a question from Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew), who wanted to know what plans the DEC had to update its advice on bullying.

Mr Cregeen said the department was always looking to keep its advice up to date.