Bullying is being described as a problem as old as schools themselves, but it’s reaching crisis level with one in four young Australians now targeted online.

It’s in the spotlight on the eighth National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Yesterday Steve Price received a call from the distraught father of a young boy with autism who was coward punched at school.

“The teachers weren’t even doing anything. I feel like I can’t protect him.”

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham tells Steve Price both online and traditional bullying must be dealt with.

“That tragic call is a reminder that schoolyard bullying is as old as schoolyards themselves.

“The modern scourge of cyberbullying does terrify me as a parent.

“Ultimately it starts with culture, respectful relationships, tolerance, inclusion, really the type of environment that schools and parents, all working together, create for children.

“This National Day of Action we have 4,500 schools involved, encompassing around 2 million children across Australia.”

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