That's why they started a new community-based campaign to encourage safer and more responsible internet use outside school hours.

Jennifer Broadfield and Elizabeth Orr launched the facebook page Cyber Sense Ulverstone with the Tasmanian Greens yesterday.

"Cyber-bullying is a troubling problem and it's often the case that the perpetrators don't understand the seriousness of their actions and don't realise the harm it causes their victims," Ms Orr said.

"It's absolutely vital that all parents engage with their children from a very young age to demonstrate and explain why it's important to use the internet safely and responsibly."

The two mothers came together after hearing stories from other local parents about children being cyber-bullied.

Ms Broadfield said: "It makes me a little bit nauseous because some of the children have killed themselves in Australia and the US and most people would think, `oh that would never happen to me', but obviously those parents thought the same thing.

"Many parents didn't grow up with the internet so they don't fully understand what's out there and why it can be an unsafe place when it's used inappropriately.

"It's up to parents to ensure that by the time their children are old enough to be using mobile phones and the internet, they have knowledge and skills they need to stay safe."

Braddon Greens MHA Paul O'Halloran said Cyber Sense Ulverstone was the first electronic media awareness campaign of its kind in Tasmania and he hoped that it would serve as a model for other communities around the state.

"This is a local community campaign driven by parents, for parents," he said.

The group is planning its first public meeting at Ulverstone on November 10.