Many kids being bullied online

There is no doubt that broadband services have changed our lives for the better in many ways, but they have also resulted in an increase in less desirable online activity such as cyber bullying.

Both business and residential users know just how valuable broadband services have become to our lives, and having access to broadband has enabled us to enjoy many different benefits. However, broadband services have also resulted in an increase in less desirable online activities, and one of these is cyber bullying, to which many younger users falls victim.

A new report has claimed that up to 340,000 younger broadband users and teenagers fall victim to cyber bullying both online and on mobile phones on a regular basis. The report was released by the charity Beatbullying, with officials from the charity stating that the majority of abuse takes place either via MSN Messenger or through social networking sites, one of the most prominent being Bebo.

An official from the charity said: “We know the consequences of online bullying are just as traumatic as those of face-to-face bullying. We want all social networking sites, internet service providers and mobile phone companies to take measures to identify and remove offensive material.” One thirteen year old that was the victim of this type of bullying said: “People find it very easy because they aren’t actually looking at the person and they can’t see what they feel like afterwards.”

Another official from the charity said: “There is a lot of material posted on those sites every day but there is more they can do in terms of moderation and referring on complaints. Young people have to take some responsibility as well. There is a lot they can do around their privacy settings and making sure they really know the people they are talking to. At the end of the day, everyone needs to know what is acceptable and what is not online.”

Source – BBC