Children that regularly interact with family members during family meals are better able to cope with cyberbullying.

Around 20,000 adolescents in Wisconsin were surveyed regarding their experiences with bullying, including cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying. The effects of bullying on the children's mental health were also studied by a team the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal, Canada.

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The study was published in the September 1 issue of the JAMA Pediatrics journal.

The participants' experiences were analyzed along with the regularity of meals shared with other members of the family.

What researchers discovered was that adolescents that regularly ate meals with their families had fewer mental health effects caused by cyberbullying.

The implication, according to researchers, is that access to support and open communication aids children in preventing mental health issues brought about by interactions with bullies online.

Other regular interactions with family members such as talking during the commute to school could also provide the necessary emotional and mental support children need.

The Institute of Health and Social Policy at McGill University in Montreal, said that 20 percent of adolescents who go online are bullied regularly.

Children who are bullied online are 4.5 times more likely to have mental health issues.

Child experts state parents experience difficulty monitoring their children's online interactions. Many parents are unaware their children are being bullied online.

Parents are encouraged to be vigilant and look for changes in their children's behavior that can be a sign of abuse. Parents that see extreme behavioral changes in their children should talk to them, call their child's school or set up appointments with mental health professionals.

Any form of bullying has been known to lead to an increase in substance abuse, self-harm, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts or actions.