STUDENTS at Neale-Wade Community College learned how to help prevent bullying online at a two-day workshop.

Beatbullying hosted the event at the March school where roughly 25 pupils were taught about the effects and consequences of online bullying as part of the charity’s CyberMentors campaign.

The two intensive days of face-to-face training from CyberMentors staff and qualified counsellors which aims to give them the skills and confidence to mentor offline (in their school or community), online (on the CyberMentors website) and via mobile phones.

The scheme has been implemented in more than 260 schools and colleges across the country and has been backed by a number of high-profile figures including the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Mr Clegg said: “It’s clear that young people these days spend a great deal of time on their computers and mobile phones, so it’s great see BeatBullying have devised CyberMentors, the first online bullying prevention scheme.

“I think it’s fantastic that student are volunteering to support their peers, and I’m learning a lot about the way social networking can be used by youngsters for good.”

The programme is Awards Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) accredited helping young people achieve a qualification that can be applied towards an award equivalent to a GCSE or AS level.

Between it’s launch in 2009 and the end of 2010 the website has had more than one million unique users and around 5,000 young people have graduated as CyberMentors and senior CyberMentor volunteers.

Youngsters were presented with a certificate, handbook, a badge, posters and business cards to give out to potential mentees or visitors to the school.