The Lagan Valley MLA was speaking after hosting a policy meeting with organisations and experts involved in anti-bullying work in Parliament Buildings yesterday (14 November). 

Ms Guy said: “From listening and engaging with experts in anti-bullying work, it is clear that while we have the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act, the focus is on responding to bullying incidents. More work is needed on preventative actions, part of which is ensuring schools comply with their statutory duties under the legislation.

“Progress is being made, but we can't be complacent and risk falling behind other parts of these islands in terms of the steps we are taking to reduce incidents of bullying amongst children and young people. At the same time, our children and parents face an increasingly complex world, with phones and social media amplifying the impact of bullying.

“In an effort to help prevent bullying, the Department of Education should start collecting data from schools to gain insight into the scale of the problem so we can analyse emerging trends. This information can then help inform interventions to support schools and other educational settings. 

“We also need to establish a comprehensive anti-bullying program across Northern Ireland, similar to FUSE in Ireland. This program is designed for both primary and post-primary schools and takes a whole school community approach to tackling bullying and promoting online safety.

“We can never lose sight of the fact that bullying can be a devastating experience to go through, causing serious, long-term effects on a young person's mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. My Alliance colleagues and I will continue to work alongside young people, families, schools, and experts to ensure more action is taken.”