A LEADING anti-bullying expert has urged greater vigilance from parents and schools about the growing problem of cyber-bullying, most of which occurs via mobile phone.
Prof Mona O’Moore of the Anti-Bullying Centre at Trinity College Dublin warned that cyber-bullying “must not be treated lightly”, as it can destroy a child or teenager’s social and emotional life.
It could also cause children to dislike school, underperform academically and, in the worst cases, it could lead to self-harm and suicide, she said.
A recent study showed one in four girls and one in six boys here had been involved in cyber-bullying, either as a victim, bully or both.
Most cyber-bullying (57 per cent) is carried out via mobile phone.
Text-messaging is the most common form, with almost one in three girls and 22 per cent of boys reporting having received nasty text messages in and out of school.
Bullying also occurs via internet postings on sites including YouTube and FaceBook, phone calls, and on-line chat rooms.
Warning signs of cyber-bullying include children becoming visibly upset after receiving calls or texts or accessing the internet; increasing lack of interest in friends; deteriorating schoolwork, and efforts to avoid school.
Prof O’Moore yesterday joined with the Carphone Warehouse to promote a 10-point campaign to prevent and deal with cyber-bullying.
She particularly called on parents to inform themselves about mobile phone and internet use and safety, and welcomed a new blocking device to deter mobile phone bullies.
The vMad.com Bully Stop application allows children to control who calls or sends them texts and enables viewing of the content of blocked texts.
Prof O’Moore said parents should not assume their child understood the pitfalls of electronic communications and they should warn them of the dangers of putting photos of themselves on the internet and sharing personal information online.
Children should be reassured parents were there for them and there was no shame in being bullied, she stressed.
“The problem lies with the bully,” Prof O’Moore added. “It is critical that your child or teen knows it is wrong to bully and equally what steps they need to take should they ever experience cyber-bullying.”
The 10-point campaign includes advice for children targeted by cyber-bullies not to reply to abusive messages, but to save the messages and report them to parents or teachers and service providers. If the cyber-bullying is very threatening, it should be reported to the Garda.
Parents are also urged to inform themselves about message-blocking devices and to make sure their children understand they disapprove of cyber-bullying.
If parents find their children engaged in bullying, they are urged to operate a “yellow card/ red card” philosophy involving reducing mobile phone credit and time spent on computers.
Prof O’Moore also said it should be made clear to children that cyber-bullying could amount to a criminal offence.
A leaflet outlining the 10 points is available in Carphone stores, while the anti-bullying centre website is www.abc.tcd.ie
