Region's schools declare war on cyber-bullies as new term starts

A new campaign is being launched this month by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to remind children, parents, teachers and governors about the recommendations for use of such pages.

It is not only pupils who have fallen prey to the online bullies, according to council bosses. Recently, there has been a spate of school-related incidents in which teachers have also been targeted by groups set up on social networking sites.

The council's director of children, family and adult services, Alison Michalska, said: "This isn't a huge problem in the East Riding, but it is becoming more of an issue.

"There have been an increasing number of people setting up groups which, in some circumstances, can constitute harassment.

"Everyone needs to be aware that by writing things on social network sites they are effectively publishing information."

Now, at the start of a new school term, the council is launching a campaign to remind everyone connected with schools about the rules.

Governors will be sent letters and schools will contact parents explaining that using social network sites is effectively publishing information and that bullying against staff members and against children will not be tolerated.

Ms Michalska said: "These sites are not the places to air grievances and make judgements about people's work capabilities and I would urge any parent or carer who has a concern about their school staff to go through the correct channels."

Pupils will be encouraged to complete a short online programme about staying safe on the web, which includes information about cyber-bullying and not being a member of social networking sites under the age of 13.

The growth of the internet and other media, particularly mobile phones, means that cyber-bullying can now take a number of different forms.

A direct attack is where someone sends abusive messages to a victim's Messenger, Bebo, MySpace or Facebook account. There are also indirect attacks where the bully copies a target's username to bombard friends with offensive messages.

A group attack is where the bully gets other people to send threatening messages to the victim. In a personal attack, the bully tells lies about a victim on their messenger or blog.

Those suffering on-line harassment can react in various ways – from nervousness and feeling scared, to feeling sad, depressed, or isolated – to outright terror.

The council's portfolio holder for children, young people and schools, Coun Penny Peacock, said: "We want to nip this in the bud before it becomes an issue and make sure, as we start a new term, and many pupils start new schools, that everyone is aware of how to use social network sites safely.

"We have a duty to protect young people and make sure they aren't putting themselves at unnecessary risk by being on these sites when they're under 13."

Cyber-bullying is when a person, or a group of people, uses the internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to threaten, tease or abuse someone.

It is against the law to bully someone in this way and if someone is being targeted there are ways it can be stopped.

Children are being advised to tell an adult they can trust about what is happening.

They are also warned not to delete the offending messages, which could be vital evidence – but above all they are being urged not to suffer in silence.