Facebook users are being encouraged to get behind a new national anti-cyber bullying campaign asking bystanders to help prevent bullying.
The federal government has teamed up with Facebook, youth mental health group Headspace and Project Rocket to launch the new campaign, titled Be Bold and Stop Bullying, on Friday.
Through a Facebook app, it will encourage Australia's 11 million-plus users, including parents, teachers and youth, to take a pledge to stand up against bullying.
The app features a "heat map", showing how many other people are following the campaign across the nation, resources for parents and teachers on ways to prevent bullying, and tips for users to create anti-bullying groups of their own.
Headspace CEO Chris Tanti said the effects of bullying on mental health were serious and had long-term consequences.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Whether bullying happens online or face to face there's usually someone else who sees it happens," he said in a statement on Friday.
Federal Education Minister Peter Garrett said it was hoped the app would equip schools with the tools to create a safe learning environment for children.
"We want every school in the country to have a safe school plan in place which details how they will tackle bullying," he said in a statement.
"However, all of these tools, which valuable, will only be effective if everyone works together to stand up and address bullying."
