New research from the bullying prevention charity reveals how almost one in three kids of primary school age become bullied via online gaming sites.

Cyberbullying can include racist and other forms of debased language, which is hugely upsetting for children and in some cases can cause serious long-term distress...

Beatbullying's Virtual Violence research, an extensive study into school children’s experiences of cyberbullying has assessed for the first time the threats of online gaming sites.

The survey measured the views of 1,564 children across the UK and included detailed investigations involving focus groups.

For many parents it confirms some of their worst fears but the report also suggests not many parents are monitoring young children's online behaviour.

A third of parents are not monitoring their kids online habits...

Of the 21 per cent of eight to 11 year-olds who have experienced cyberbullying, more than a quarter were targeted whilst playing an online game, says the charity.

The research commissioned by the Nominet Trust, suggests a significant number of young children sign up to enjoy themselves but then find themselves subjected to harassment. The report points towards unmonitored exposure to technology at increasingly young ages...

Almost two thirds of eight to 11 year-olds have their own phone. While many also own a PC, tablet or gaming device which connects to the Internet...

Also of significance are the findings that the most popular use for mobile phones and the Internet amongst under-11s is for playing games - 73 per cent, hence the research from Beatbullying to find out what is going on...

Beatbullying Chief Executive Emma-Jane Cross says: "Bullying behaviour is migrating into the game play world and we need to move quickly to tackle behavioural issues before this escalates even further..."

The charity's research talking to children found that many children wanted parents and teachers to do more to educate them how to protect themselves from the threats.

In particular parents need to be more aware of the dangers of Internet access from mobile locations and teach children appropriate behaviours online... and if they experience difficulties what they can do...

Beatbullying runs a number of schemes including CyberMentors which tackles bullying in schools.

Despite its virtual quality Beatbullying reveals cyberbullying is a serious issue and can cause serious consequences for victims.

Often the bullying can be persistent and because of the range of media all pervasive and can be combined with other forms of bullying.

Kids bullied are six times more likely to hurt themselves or suffer serious mental health problems...

The main advice for children and parents is for children, if they are allowed to use such games, to be advised to report problem behaviour to a parent or appropriate adult like a teacher...