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One third of children have been the victim of internet bullies
Mark Prigg, Technology Correspondent03.03.09
WEBSITES such as Facebook and Twitter are fuelling an epidemic of online bullying, it was claimed today.
Research has found one in three British children has been the victim of abuse on the internet.
The poll of more than 2,000 11- to 18-year-olds, commissioned by charity Beatbullying, revealed that girls are up to four times more likely to face online bullying than boys.
A second survey, by the Teacher Support Network, also today revealed that one in seven teachers has been the victim of "cyberbullying" by pupils.
The results were published to launch an anti-cyberbullying campaign, backed by Gordon Brown.
Cyberbullying includes bombarding email accounts with abuse and sending text messages. Some bullies have even set up Facebook groups allowing dozens of people to band together to abuse schoolmates or colleagues.
As part of the CyberMentors scheme, advice groups will be set up in schools across the country to give pupils a "friend" who has been through the same thing.
Volunteers will give up one lunchtime every two weeks to advise victims on how best to deal with the problem. They can either meet face to face, or online.
Mr Brown said: "Just as we wouldn't let them go unsupervised in playgrounds or in youth clubs, so we must put in place the measures that we need to keep our children and young people safe online."
Georgia Woods, a 13-year-old from Bean in Dartford, signed up to the scheme after being bullied online for a year.
She was constantly sent abusive messages via instant message software, and bullies set up several pages on website Bebo, posting abusive text and commenting on her weight and appearance. "There was just no getting away from it, and it really, really affected me," she said. "I felt I had nobody to turn to, so I hope this new scheme will give other people in the same situation a way to talk."
Georgia's mother, Sarah-Jane Woods, said: "It was just horrible, there was no escape for Georgia. She was effectively being bullied in her own home, and every time she logged on she would see dozens of horrible messages. She got incredibly low, but we are now incredibly proud of what she is doing."
Emma-Jane Cross, chief executive of Beatbullying, which will operate the new scheme, said: "Cyberbullying is a growing problem affecting millions of children across the UK." She added that CyberMentors was the result of seven years' work in schools.
Reader views (11)
You know what, Doctor Singh? Bullying doesn't make people better. It's makes them worse. Would you like to suffer a lot for bad things that you do?
Dave, were you living on another planet? Your indifference to bullying can come back to haunt you. Suppose someone who you care about is bullied and you do nothing to help. You won't get any help if you get bullied big time.
Another thing, Dave: If you keep being selfish and indifferent to bullying, you'll end up alone and helpless. In other words, nobody will want to be with you. How would you like it I told you deal with being terrorized and that it's a part of life.
Ian, you suggested that bullying is bad yet also tell victims to grow up. You and bullies are the ones who need to grow up because you seem to support bullying, you selfish hypocrite. Also, you don't tell parents how to raise their kids 'cuz that's not your job.
Another thing, Ian: I apply the same things to you as I did to David. If you want to have friends, you gotta learn to stand up for them. I'd so the same for people who I care about.
Mf, telling a child that bullying is life and to learn to deal with it are NEVER EVER appropriate and solution, which means that AREN'T solutions at all.
Now for you, Kn: You're so right about most of what you typed. And what I like best about is in your last paragraph.
For all of you think that bullying is part of life, read what's in here:
http://www.thurstontogether.org/resources/bullying.htm
- Il, United States
"There's just no getting away from it" said one victim. Well she could always switch off her computer, or stop visiting "social networking" sites.
So then they become 'socially unaccepted' because they arent on the internet, simply switching off isn't the answer, if you are bullied in school or the work place you can't just walk away. You can try to teach children about bullies and teach them to try and ignore it, but children and adults who are emotionally vulnerable cannot always do this and left without support or told to get on with it could and has had devestating effect of them and the family.
Bullies need to be dealt with at source, parents need to take more time to check computer and phone logs, and other adults need to help protect other vulnerable adults.
- Kn, scotland
Being bullied is never that pleasant for the recipient. However, by insulating our children from it means they will never survive in the grown up world.
The rule for all those that feel they are being bullied, is get a life, a new set of friends and grow up.
People that bully are usually pretty dumb and are of no consequence to anyone. Then again as someone has already said you can turn the computer off.
- Ian, Reading, England
So what, we all get bullied at some point. Its life and we learn to deal with it.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants
Yes some do and sadly some have learnt to deal with it my ending their young lives. Telling a child it is life and to learn to deal with it, really is not always a helpful or appropriate solution. In fact it is not a solution at all is it? The bully continues. Only now the child feels even more lonely and vunerable.
- Mf, Scotland
Where do these people find the time to occupy themselves for hours on the net?
- Cally, London
So what, we all get bullied at some point. Its life and we learn to deal with it.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants
"There's just no getting away from it" said one victim. Well she could always switch off her computer, or stop visiting "social networking" sites.
- Neil M., london uk,
Cyber bullying isnt just a childrens occupation, Ive seen first hand bullying on forums that are for women who are parents! They see nothing wrong with hunting down a new memeber and making their time on their miserable till they eventually leave, some forums actually charge new members for this priveledge!
There's no hope for these children till their parents grow up and get themselves sorted.
Cyber Bullies have the advantage that they are nearly always invisable and safe behind their computer screens.
- Kerry Newton, innellan
It does not stop at children.
I have witnessed grown women, parents themselves bullying others on a forum. When you stand up and challenge their behaviour, they then target you.
What hope do we have for children when adults behave in this way and are allowed to get away with it?
- Mf, Scotland
surprised?! kids should have limited access to the web and not use chat rooms until their late teens...blame the parents. Oh, but you can't! Blame the teachers. Oh, you can't do that either! Guess the kids wil have to suffer and learn from it...if possible.
- Doctor Singh, london
Internet bullying eh?That's pretty cowardly but also sinister.At least when you incurred another kids wrath twenty years ago you had a right hander to look forward to,then all would be forgotten.
These days you're quite likely to be killed.
- Steve, London
