Ministear airson lonnsachadh, Saidheansagus Canain na hAlba Meinister for Lear, Sciencean Scotland's Leids Minister for Learning,

Scienceand Scotland's Languages

Alasdair Allan BPA/MSP

The Scottish Government

Riaghaltas na h-Alba

FIT: 0845 7741741

E: scottish.ministers@scotland,gsi.gov.uk

Ms Kezia Dugdale MSP The Scottish Parliament EDINBURGH EH991SP

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Ur faidhle/Your ref: AM-16-05-12 Ar faidhle/Our ref: 2012/0017656

June 2012

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Thank you for your letter of 16 May 2012 to Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for children and Young People regarding cyberbullying. I am replying as bullying in schools forms part of my portfolio. The Scottish Government recognises that any form of bullying is unacceptable and must be tackled quickly whenever it arises. You may know that the Scottish Government funds the national anti-bullying service, respectme. They work with all adults who have a role to play in the lives of children and young people to give them the skills and confidence they need to deal with any form of bullying behaviour. Respectme's campaign focus is currently on cyberbullying and they offer bespoke training events on identifying and dealing with cyberbullying, which are provided free of charge. In 2011, respectme carried out research into cyberbullying with almost 4,000 children and young people, details of which can be found on their website at www.respectme.org.uk. In addition, Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research 2012 is currently underway and is expected to report at the end of the summer this year. A nationally representative sample of headteachers, teachers and support staff have been asked a range of questions about their perceptions of behaviour in schools, including questions about mobile technology and cyberbullying. Focussed qualitative work with staff and children and young people will explore the use of mobile technology and cyberbullying in more depth.

Cidhe Bhictoria, Dun Eideann, EH6 6QQ Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.scotland.gov.uk

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The Cyber Mentors programme you refer to in your letter is run by the UK anti-bullying organisation, Beat Bullying. The work of Beat Bullying focuses on a peer mentoring approach and Scottish Government officials, along with respectme are currently considering how their work can best be rolled out in Scotland. With thanks for your offer of a meeting to discuss cyberbullying, I feel that with the behaviour research project not due to report until later this year, a meeting at this stage would be premature. It would be more appropriate to meet after the research has been published when we have a clear, national picture. I will make sure you are provided with a copy of the research when it is published, following which you can contact my office again to organise a meeting. I hope this is helpful.

ALASDAIR ALLAN

Cidhe Bhictoria, Dun Eideann, EH6 6QQ Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.scotland.gov.uk

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