Tackling The Cyber-Bully

According to recent government figures, more than a third of children aged between 12 and 15 are victims of cyber-bullying.

Cyber-bullying takes place online and on mobiles and can be as devastating to the victim as physical ‘real world’ bullying. It is insidious and can follow victims into the safety of their own home; making them feel like there is no escape. The fact that the bully is often anonymous magnifies the feelings of fear in the victim.

The ‘virtual’ intimidation takes many forms through emails, blogging and text messaging and it can go on for long periods of time. With no obvious visible indicators, parents and teachers may find it difficult to recognise. The bullying usually involves the victim’s most cherished possession, making it harder for them to talk to their parents, for fear of losing the use of the item.

The Protective Role of Schools

Schools have a duty to protect their students and new Government guidance directs schools to ensure that:

• bullying via mobiles or the Internet is included in their mandatory anti-bullying policies
• the curriculum teaches pupils about the risks of new communications technologies and the consequences of their misuse
• all e-communications used on the school site or as part of school activities off-site are monitored
• Internet blocking technologies are continually updated
• they work with parents to make sure new communications technologies are used safely
• security systems are in place to prevent information about pupils and staff being accessed improperly from outside school
• they work with police to combat and manage cyber-bullying.

The Education and Inspections Act 2006 empowers head teachers to regulate the conduct of pupils when they are off site and allows teachers to confiscate items such as mobile phones.

Advice for Parents

With the growing number of teenagers involved in cyber-bullying, both as victims and perpetrators parents have a duty to understand the issues. They should discuss cyber-bullying with their children and encourage them to confide in them. They need to work with schools by taking an active role in combating the problem, whether their children are victims or, indeed, perpetrators.

Greater vigilance is also required when monitoring children’s use of the internet. Parental control software limits who children can communicate with online and if a child is a victim of cyber-bullying the mobile network or Internet Service Provider can do something about it.

Although bullying is not a criminal offence, there are laws against harassing or threatening behaviour and sending menacing and threatening communications. Cyber-bullying can, therefore, be a criminal offence, punishable by a substantial fine or a prison sentence of up to six months.

Bullying can have a profoundly devastating impact upon children’s lives and, teachers and parents should not shrink from their duty to contact the police to protect a child in their care.

Published 05/10/2007.