Parents unaware of mobile phone bullying

Nearly 60% of parents aren’t worried about their children being bullied by mobile phone, even though research has shown that 20% of children have been subject to this sort of victimisation, according to research published today by children’s charity NCH and Tesco Mobile.

Teachers, however, are far more aware of the problem, with nearly three-quarters saying they were concerned that their pupils could become victims of mobile phone bullying. Half the teachers questioned said at least one of the children they taught had been bullied in this way, and two-thirds of these taught primary school children aged 11 or under.

The research is published as part of NCH and Tesco Mobiles’s Putting U in the Picture campaign, which is calling on schools to make sure their anti-bullying policies cover bullying by mobile phone or computer.

The two organisations have also set up an interactive web site with advice for young people who are being bullied in this way.

“Technology is great for young people in so many ways, but it also carries risks. We need to ensure all teachers, youth workers, parents, carers and any other interested parties understand how bullying works in the online environment,” said NCH’s new technology adviser John Carr.

See stoptextbully.com