Cyberbullying incidents have âsoared in numberâ during the pandemic, leaving children âonly a click away from distressâ, an Oireachtas Committee meeting on the mental health impacts of school bullying has heard.
Bullying in schools has become more difficult to monitor and intervene on due to the âever increasing catalogue of ways bullying can occurâ.
Damian White, President of the Irish Primary Principals Network told the Joint Committee on Education that bullying has a âsevere impactâ on victims, as well as their friends and family who witness the bullying.
âIf unchecked, it can have a devastating effect on those involved and on school morale in general. It can lead to social isolation, stress, depression and suicide,â he said.