Why you shouldn’t film attacks and what to do if you ever see one of the brutal videos

Today The Sun Online and The NSPCC launch the Block The Bullying campaign.

Every day we are exposed to sickening videos of children beating up other children that are shared on social media, often going viral.

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We aim to educate children why they shouldn't ever film and share such an attack, tell kids and adults what to do if they see one and call on social media platforms to take them down as soon as they are made aware of them.

Below is a step by step guide from the NSPCC on the dos and don'ts of this form of online bullying.

If you see a child being bullied it can be difficult to know the best way to help. Posting or sharing videos of the bullying might seem like a good way to raise awareness but it can have a very damaging impact on children:

• It can be distressing and humiliating for the young person being bullied to have evidence of their abuse shared over the internet.
• Knowing the video remains out there forces the young person to relive their horrifying experience and may prevent them from being able to recover and move on.
• Sharing a video online establishes a digital footprint of the young people involved (both the victim and the perpetrator of the abuse) which will follow them into later life.
• When you share a video, you cannot control who views it, or prevent children from seeing it. Young people tell us that viewing violent content is one of their biggest concerns online and that it causes them distress and anxiety so it is important that this content is not shared.
• Experimenting and making mistakes is a part of growing up for young people but the internet means that young people’s mistakes may define them as they get older. Young people should have the right to remove this content from the internet and be able to shape their identity as they get older, without having to be defined by past decisions.

What to do if you see this content?

If you see any videos of children being bullied online you should report them to the social network immediately. Turning a blind eye to these videos is not the answer.

Depending on the site's terms and conditions it may be possible to get the video removed. If you are unsure how to report you can contact the and O2’s Online Safety Helpline (0808 800 5002) who will be able to talk you through this process.

You can also take a look at which has advice on reporting processes for the most popular social networking sites.

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It is important to remember that you should NEVER comment on, like, or share bullying videos on social media. Bullying videos can be upsetting for both the victim and for other children that may see them so it is important not to draw attention to them.

What is the impact of bullying?

Bullying can have devastating effects which can last into adulthood. At its worst, bullying has driven children and young people to self-harm and even suicide.

All children who are affected by bullying can suffer harm – whether they are bullied, they bully others or they witness bullying.

Children and young people who are involved in bullying are more at risk of developing mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Children at the highest risk are those who are both bullied, and who bully others.

Children who are bullied also:

• have fewer friendships
• aren’t accepted by their peers
• are wary and suspicious of others
• have problems adjusting to school, and don’t do as well

Those who bully are more likely to use drugs and alcohol and to perform poorly in school. They display lower self-esteem and life-satisfaction.

For more information about the signs and impact of bullying, take a look at the .

If an adult is worried about a child they can call the NSPCC helpline for advice and support on 0808 800 5000.

How do you know if your child is being bullied?

It can be hard for adults, including parents, to know whether or not a child is being bullied. A child might not tell anyone because they're scared the bullying will get worse. They might think that they deserved to be bullied, or that it's their fault.

You can’t always see the signs of bullying. And no one sign indicates for certain that a child’s being bullied. But you should look out for:

• belongings getting “lost” or damaged
• physical injuries such as unexplained bruises
• being afraid to go to school, being mysteriously 'ill' each morning, or skipping school
• not doing as well at school
• asking for, or stealing, money (to give to a bully)
• being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn
• stopping using electronic devices abruptly
• appearing anxious or upset after using electronic devices
• being secretive about online activities
• problems with eating or sleeping
• bullying others.

What can you do if you think your child is being bullied?

It can be really distressing to discover that your child is being bullied. However hard it is, try to stay calm and don't jump to conclusions. Your child may be worried about talking to you about the bullying, and scared that it'll make the situation worse.

Talk to your child about bullying:

Explain to your child what bullying is, and ask if they're being bullied. Keep calm, and listen carefully. They may feel scared, embarrassed or ashamed that they're being bullied and they may be worried about what will happen if they tell anyone.

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Make sure they know who they can ask for help:

If your child is being bullied they might be scared to ask for help, because they think it'll make the bullying worse. Let them know they can always talk to you, or another trusted adult such as a teacher or other family member. If they prefer they can speak to a Childline counsellor for free by ringing 0800 11 11 or online at .

Help them to stay safe online

If you find out that your child has been bullied online, it can be tempting to stop them from accessing the internet.

However, this can seem like a punishment and may stop them from telling you what’s happening.

Instead, talk to them about how they can stay safe online.

If you are unsure check out the NSPCC’s advice on staying safe online.

• Talk to the child’s school or club
• If your child is being bullied, you can talk to their school.
• It doesn't matter whether the bullying is happening in school, outside or on the internet.
• All schools have a responsibility to protect their pupils from bullying.
• If your child is being bullied at a club, talk to the person in charge.

If an adult is worried about a child they can call the NSPCC  helpline for advice and support on 0808 800 5000.

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What can you do if your child has been bullying others?

You may feel disappointed or upset if you find out that your child has been bullying others. But try to keep calm and take some time to consider what you'll do.

Children may not realise that what they're doing is bullying.

If they've been making offensive or unkind comments online they might not understand how much that could hurt someone.

• Calmly explain that what they're doing is unacceptable
• Help them understand how what they've done feels - you could ask them how they think the other child felt, or ask them how they felt when someone said something unkind to them
• Talk to them about what you will do next, explaining why you may need to tell their school, and what you expect them to do
• Ask them whether they have any questions about why their actions need to change.

If you or anyone you know have experienced this kind of bullying email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368