AS an army of schools, colleges, parents, politicians and police join the march against cyber-bullying...what can really be done to tackle the growing issue?

New figures released by NSPCC shows its helpline - ChildLine - counselled 4,541 children across the country about online bullying in 2015/16. The is double the number in 2011/12.

Children can now be tormented around the clock. Bullies can’t be escaped by leaving the playground.

To limit the devastating impact cyber-bullying can have, schools and colleges are investing thousands of pounds into introducing new safety measures.

Marko Cekerevac, the student safeguarding manager at South Essex College, which has campuses in Southend, Basildon and Thurrock, said: “Working alongside other agencies and speaking with professionals from social care and the police, cyber-bullying is something that does occur for young people within the area, but this is true within society in general.

“All staff members take regular e-safety courses so they can spot the signs of cyber-bullying. “When students start at the college, they also receive awareness training to inform them how to use social media safely and the dangers of it too.”

Included in those training sessions is advice for children to turn social media settings to private, and to never disclose where they are while posting publicly, or to strangers.

One school, however, has taken a tougher stance.

Desi Mckeown is the headteacher of The Deanes School, in Thundersley. He recently revealed he brings parents, bullies and victims face-to-face as part of a school crackdown on bad behaviour - which is not just confined to the classroom.

He said: “We’re a relatively small school, so it is rare. But one way we address it is by banning mobile phones in school altogether. Children just aren’t allowed them.

“We also run a restorative justice programme, where if bad behaviour is detected, we sit the pupils down and mentor them to talk out the issues.”

Widely agreed among psychologists is that bullied children are more likely to experience mental health problems, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and lose interest in hobbies.

And while many are too frightened to talk directly to an adult, Woodlands School, in Basildon, has set up an anti-bullying text line - so victims or witnesses can receive support without having to speak face-to-face. It appears to be working.

In a recent newsletter a survey shows 51 per cent of parents strongly agree that the school is effective in its battle against bullying - compared to 26 per cent in 2015.

Simon Cox, headteacher of the Woodlands School, said: “Staff guide pupils in online activities that will support the learning outcomes planned for the pupil’s age and maturity.

“Pupils are taught to consider the thoughts and feelings of others when publishing material to websites and elsewhere. Material which victimises or bullies someone, or is otherwise offensive, is unacceptable and appropriate sanctions will be implemented.”

Meanwhile, a south Essex MP has thrown her weight behind a government initiative aimed at making the internet safer for young people by targetting sexting and cyber-bullying.

Now, Ministers are working with tech firms, charities, academics and mental health professionals to lay out a solid safeguarding plan by the summer

Rebecca Cox, Tory MP for Castle Point, said: “Unfortunately we are seeing more and more cases of cyber bullying every year and many constituents who come to me have been affected by it in some way.

“I fully support the Government’s initiative.

“We need internet service providers to take action against perpetrators.

“It is also important that people are aware that online bullying and harassment is a serious criminal offence as is revenge porn or sending naked pictures of anyone under the age of 18 – even if it is of the sender themselves.”

Essex Police went on to assert that while cyber-bullying isn’t an offence in itself, perpetrators could be guilty of harassment or threatening behaviour - which could result in a criminal record.