Schoolchildren throughout the Bristol area will be taking part in activities this week for national Anti-Bullying Week.

The theme this year is Stay Safe in Cyberspace, following research that shows cyberbullying and name-calling are the most common form of bullying in schools.

Clare Campion-Smith, Bristol City Council's cabinet member for children, said: "All forms of bullying are horrible, but cyberbullying is particularly nasty as children can't get away from it. Most young people now have a mobile phone, or contact people using the internet, and this contact is twenty-four hour. It can mean that bullying continues in their own home. Our message to children and young people is, if you are being bullied in any way, always tell an adult. If you have any kind of proof of bullying, such as a text message or email, remember to keep it to use as evidence."

Children's Secretary Ed Balls reinforced the message to youngsters and to parents that incidents of abuse should always be reported. He said: "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."

A Government-commissioned study, conducted 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 show that almost half of young people report being bullied at the age of 14.

This falls to four in ten (41 per cent) among 15-year-olds and less than a third (29 per cent) among 16-year-olds. Girls are more likely to face name calling than boys, and to be excluded from friendships, whereas boys are more likely to have their money and possessions taken, and to face violence.

The study also reveals the long-term effect on teenagers who have been bullied.

Those who were bullied at the age of 14 and 15 had significantly lower Key Stage 4 (GCSE level) scores. On average they scored 13 points lower – the equivalent of two GCSEs. Victims of bullying were also more likely to be a "Neet" – not in education, employment or training."

One focus of the campaign will be to get the message across to children and teenagers that "if you laugh at it, you're part of it".

The group N-Dubz has launched an anti-bullying song and an online leaflet for parents and other information is available at www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk