London, Nov 13 (ANI): Cyberbullying - where children face taunts, threats and insults via the internet and mobile phones - is now the most common form of bullying, according to a new research.

The survey, carried out by the National Centre for Social Research, analysed bullying among more than 10,000 secondary school pupils in England aged 14-16.

The initial findings of the Government-commissioned research showed that 47 per cent of young people report being bullied at the age of 14.

This fell to 41 per cent among 15-year-olds and less than a third 29 per cent among 16-year-olds.

After cyberbullying and name calling, the most common type of bullying was teenagers being threatened with violence, being excluded by their friends and facing actual violence.

Girls were more likely to be bullied than boys at the age of 14 and 15, the study showed.

The survey also showed that girls were more likely to face name-calling than boys, and to be excluded from friendships, whereas boys were more likely to have their money and possessions taken, and to face violence.

It also revealed that teenagers with a disability were more likely to be the victim of name-calling and to be excluded by others.

Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, urged parents to report incidents of bullying to their child’s school.

‘It’s really important that young people can use new technology and the internet to learn, have fun and stay in touch with their friends,” the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

‘But we also know that mobile phones or computer screens can be used to taunt and bully young people, which can have devastating consequences. I want parents to feel confident coming forward and reporting bullying incidents to schools, as we know this helps to stop bullying continuing.

‘Schools, parents, young people and technology providers all need to work together to tackle cyberbullying and I’m really pleased that we are working closely with the Anti-Bullying Alliance to ensure this happens. Through our cyberbullying campaign we will continue the push to help stamp it out for good,’ he added. (ANI)