Menu
07/06/2005
Charity warns of ‘mobile phone bullying’
One in five young people have suffered from some form of ‘digital bullying’, a survey conducted by children’s charity NCH has revealed.
Bullying via mobile phone was found to be the most common form, with 14% of those surveyed claiming to have been harassed or threatened via text messages. However, one in twenty also said they had suffered abuse in internet chat rooms, while 4% said they had received e-mail threats.
One in ten children also said that they had been photographed by a camera phone and had felt threatened or embarrassed. 17% also believed that the image had been sent to other people. The findings follow numerous reports of assaults being recorded on camera phones and sent to other people – a craze that has become known as ‘happy slapping’.
Most of those surveyed (73%) knew who was behind the digital bullying. However, over a quarter (26%) said that a stranger carried out the bullying. NCH said that bullies using mobile phones would often withhold their number or use mobiles belonging to other people so that their number could not be identified.
The NCH survey, conducted in conjunction with Tesco Mobile, surveyed 770 young people, aged between 11 and 19.
The emergence of digital bullying follows a massive increase in the ownership of mobile phones amongst teenagers. NCH said that 97% of 12 to 16-year-olds now own a mobile phone and nearly 4 million young people have a camera-enabled handset – a figure which is expected to double by 2007.
John Carr, the NCH technology adviser, said: “For a child or teenager being bullied by mobile phone, it can be terrifying and feel like there is no escape. This new research reveals the massive scale of mobile bullying and shows how camera phones are being used by bullies to frighten and intimidate their victims.”
The NCH and Tesco Mobile have launched a new website - stoptexbullying.com - which provides advice to young people. Information is available from: www.stoptextbully.com
(KMcA/SP)
Bullying via mobile phone was found to be the most common form, with 14% of those surveyed claiming to have been harassed or threatened via text messages. However, one in twenty also said they had suffered abuse in internet chat rooms, while 4% said they had received e-mail threats.
One in ten children also said that they had been photographed by a camera phone and had felt threatened or embarrassed. 17% also believed that the image had been sent to other people. The findings follow numerous reports of assaults being recorded on camera phones and sent to other people – a craze that has become known as ‘happy slapping’.
Most of those surveyed (73%) knew who was behind the digital bullying. However, over a quarter (26%) said that a stranger carried out the bullying. NCH said that bullies using mobile phones would often withhold their number or use mobiles belonging to other people so that their number could not be identified.
The NCH survey, conducted in conjunction with Tesco Mobile, surveyed 770 young people, aged between 11 and 19.
The emergence of digital bullying follows a massive increase in the ownership of mobile phones amongst teenagers. NCH said that 97% of 12 to 16-year-olds now own a mobile phone and nearly 4 million young people have a camera-enabled handset – a figure which is expected to double by 2007.
John Carr, the NCH technology adviser, said: “For a child or teenager being bullied by mobile phone, it can be terrifying and feel like there is no escape. This new research reveals the massive scale of mobile bullying and shows how camera phones are being used by bullies to frighten and intimidate their victims.”
The NCH and Tesco Mobile have launched a new website - stoptexbullying.com - which provides advice to young people. Information is available from: www.stoptextbully.com
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 February 2008
Most People Believe Mobile Phone Use Affects Driving
Three quarters of people believe that drivers who use their mobile phones are needlessly risking their own, and other people's, safety, research published by the government has revealed. A YouGov poll carried out for the Department for Transport found that 60% of people said they felt 'annoyed' when they saw a motorist using a mobile phone.
Most People Believe Mobile Phone Use Affects Driving
Three quarters of people believe that drivers who use their mobile phones are needlessly risking their own, and other people's, safety, research published by the government has revealed. A YouGov poll carried out for the Department for Transport found that 60% of people said they felt 'annoyed' when they saw a motorist using a mobile phone.
29 January 2015
Sky To Launch New Mobile Phone Service
A new mobile phone service is to be launched by pay-TV company Sky in partnership Telefonica, O2's Spanish parent company. Sky, adding mobile to its internet, landline and TV, will use Telefonica UK's wireless network to offer the new service.
Sky To Launch New Mobile Phone Service
A new mobile phone service is to be launched by pay-TV company Sky in partnership Telefonica, O2's Spanish parent company. Sky, adding mobile to its internet, landline and TV, will use Telefonica UK's wireless network to offer the new service.
22 June 2007
Government highlights mobile phone thefts
People will be warned that buying stolen mobile phones is a waste of money in a new £500,000 advertising campaign launched by the government. The new advert designs use abbreviated text language and can be distributed via mobiles and social networking websites such as Facebook and Myspace.
Government highlights mobile phone thefts
People will be warned that buying stolen mobile phones is a waste of money in a new £500,000 advertising campaign launched by the government. The new advert designs use abbreviated text language and can be distributed via mobiles and social networking websites such as Facebook and Myspace.
23 September 2003
CD-Rom on crime avoidance for teens unveiled
A new hi-tech teaching tool that will help young people steer clear of mobile phone theft was launched today by government ministers Hazel Blears and Ivan Lewis.
CD-Rom on crime avoidance for teens unveiled
A new hi-tech teaching tool that will help young people steer clear of mobile phone theft was launched today by government ministers Hazel Blears and Ivan Lewis.
15 October 2009
Drugs 'Baron' Caged
The ringleader of a criminal gang that ran a network supplying millions of pounds worth of drugs across West London has been stopped in his tracks following an intelligence led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Sheldon Pommell, 25, from Acton, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court this week after be
Drugs 'Baron' Caged
The ringleader of a criminal gang that ran a network supplying millions of pounds worth of drugs across West London has been stopped in his tracks following an intelligence led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Sheldon Pommell, 25, from Acton, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court this week after be
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
