Cyber bullying epidemic

A third of children become victims of internet attacks according to leading UK charity Beatbullying. Online bullying has reached epidemic proportions warned the Chief Executive, Emma Jane Cross, affecting millions of children in the UK. The charity released their report to coincide with the launch of Cybermentors, a new social network of peer support for online victims.

Not just in the playground...

Gone are the days where children came home and escaped the arguments started at school. Today's bullies can follow kids straight into their homes via the net.

Cyberbullying can include vicious remarks via instant messaging or bombarding email accounts with abuse and even setting up Facebook groups with the purpose of posting humilating messages. With kids accessing social networking sites more readily than ever before, parents are understandably fearful for their children when they venture online unchecked. It comes as encouraging news that social networking giants Facebook and Myspace have recently acknowledged the need to work together to find new ways of preventing online bullying.

The anonymity of the internet allows for bullying to grow in secret, untold by most victims and unnoticed by many parents. UK Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls "Cyberbullying is a particularly harmful form of bullying and by its anonymous nature - it can leave the victim wondering who to trust".

Keeping safe online

The initiative has been supported by the UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown who took pains to emphasise that the internet "provides a world of entertainment, opportunity and knowledge" but that measures to keep kids safe online are crucial. SAFEnSOUNDmail have produced guidelines to help keep children safe on the internet. The 10 good habits for kids offers a simple approach focussing on awareness, common sense and respect.