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Story URL: http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39168523,00.htm

Cyber bullying crackdown kicks off
Balls gets it rolling...

By Gemma Simpson

Published: Friday 21 September 2007

The government has launched a campaign to help schools tackle cyber bullying.

The campaign will cost £200,000 and features guidance and a short film to help schools deal with people who use the internet or mobiles to bully other children or abuse their teachers.

The guidance includes tips on preventing cyber bullying, including: not responding to malicious text or emails, saving evidence of cyber bullying, reporting incidents, keeping passwords safe and not giving out personal details over the web.

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Ed Balls, secretary of state for the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), said cyber bullying is a "particularly insidious type of bullying" because it can follow young people wherever they go while the perpetrator can remain anonymous, making it even more stressful for the victim.

Balls said in a statement: "Bullying evolves as society and technology changes, so schools need to get to grips with newer forms of bullying and the different impact these have on the victim."

An online campaign will also feature on websites - including social networking sites - used by schoolchildren, such as Bebo, MSN, MySpace and Yahoo!.

A recent study by the DCSF found 34 per cent of 12 to 15 years olds have experienced some form of cyber bullying, which can include threats, intimidation, harassment or 'cyber-stalking', unauthorised publication of private information or images, impersonation and 'happy slapping'.