National Anti-bullying week 2009                        

This year the National Anti-bullying week is focusing on cyber bullying.

'Stay safe in cyber space!'

As we have mentioned throughout this website, there are many forms of bullying. Cyberbullying is a relatively new form of bullying occuring through the use of the mobile phone and the internet. It can be seen as less serious than the other forms of bullying but this is not true. Cyber bullying causes a great deal of distress and because of the technology it can be 24/7, with no escape from it. As we have seen with the case brought to court earlier this year about bullying through facebook, online forums can be percieved by some as extremely negative and harmful.

'Staying safe in cyberspace' is all about how we can protect ourselves online; such as not sharing personal details that we often take for granted and give away without thinking.

If you are a member of an online forum, please consider what you share.

It is best if you don't share:-

• your address
• your phone number
• your email address
• where you go to school
• your birthday

It's always best to keep this details to yourself.

Don't feel pressurised to agree to friendship requests on facebook, myspace, bebo. If you don't know the person its probably best to just accept requests from your friends that you know well.

If you receive some nasty messages through text messaging or online, it's always best to follow Percy's message 'please tell someone if you are being bullied.'

It can be hard to tell someone whats happening and feel alone. Find a trusted adult and share what's happening with them, so that they can help you.