Southampton schools launch crackdown on cyber-bullies

Someone using Facebook on an iPhone Someone using Facebook on an iPhone

THEY are the social networks that are part of everyday life for thousands of Hampshire children.

But for many youngsters, websites and mobile phones are creating a world where they cannot escape the torment of classroom bullies.

Now a crackdown has been launched by police and council bosses in a bid to stop the cyberbullying and harassment increasingly blighting schools.

It comes as a 13-year-old girl was suspended from a Southampton school over allegations of bullying sparked by comments she posted on Facebook.

The Year 8 pupil was excluded after making claims about another pupil on the site – in clear view of anyone who knows either of them.

The suspended girl’s mother has angrily hit out at the severe punishment, saying the school should not be involved in incidents that take place outside school.

But the pupils’ head teacher, who stepped in after taunting continued in class, has revealed that social networks are a major problem for schools, and is urging parents to do more to make their children act responsibly.

Although schools cannot punish pupils for actions at home, the head said bullying over social networks like Facebook or BBM – a free instant messaging service run through Blackberry mobile phones – can have a major impact on children in school. The head, so shocked by the Facebook incident they have passed information to the police, told the Daily Echo: “If I could get rid of them tomorrow, I would.

“If you mention Facebook or BBM to any head teacher or teacher, they will roll their eyes.

There’s a real issue.

“Because they’re saying it on Facebook it becomes more acceptable than walking up to someone in the street and saying it, but in my mind it’s exactly the same.

“The problem we will always have in school is the legal powers we have, which mean they can’t be used against something that happens in someone’s own time. But if it then comes into school and that child then gets a hard time because of something that was said on Facebook, we can act.

“We have a moral duty to our students and we challenge anything we think is inappropriate.

“Incidents of persistent and on-going bullying at our school are rare. When it does occur we investigate it rigorously and sanction appropriately – in this case an external exclusion.

Bullying is unacceptable and due to its seriousness we have contacted the police.”

The case comes as police have increasingly begun to take action against hate crimes committed on social networking sites, with high-profile prosecutions for racist abuse of the footballers Fabrice Muamba and Stan Collymore.

Southampton City Council has recently begun working with police to send PCSOs into schools to provide support and training.

So far 24 city schools have signed up to have officers attend to discuss online safety, ranging from social networking to grooming, and cyber-bullying to online gaming. The presentations also provide information for teachers and parents.

Council education chief Cllr Sarah Bogle, said: “It’s quite a new phenomenon with the rise of social media, and young people are very vulnerable.

“We work with the schools and try to support them, because they don’t just do education any more, they do lots of pastoral stuff and this is one example of that.”

Inspector Julie Fry, who leads Hampshire police’s Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Resource Group, said police will act on cyber-bullying.

She said: “You can substitute the words bullying and harassment and it’s that escalation.

Within schools it might just be words, but all the information, all the research that’s coming out in education and outside of education in our world is that words can hurt.

“We know that that continual drip feed of negativity to a young person or adult can massively affect their lives.

“If it’s frequent and the content is so horrendous and horrific that it’s insulting, then bullying can be a criminal offence.

“In the worst case, people are being physically attacked and damage caused to their homes or property. That is just not acceptable and it’s a place for the police to get involved.”

MUM HITS OUT AT ‘UNFAIR’ SUSPENSION

THE mother of the girl suspended for three days after posting comments on Facebook about another pupil believes she has been unfairly targeted.

She said the school had no right to punish her daughter for something that happened outside of school time and property.

The 13-year-old’s mum told the Daily Echo: “It’s completely unfair.

“It wasn’t on school premises and it wasn’t about anything at this school, but she’s been excluded for it. It’s got nothing to do with the school, and that’s the principle. Schools shouldn’t be allowed to do that.

“If a child is naughty at school and she gets excluded then fair enough.

“She’s missing out on her education. She wants to be a vet, and this is not helping her.

“I’m not saying it’s right what she’s done, but I’m saying it’s happened out of school and even if it’s been brought to the school’s attention, they shouldn’t have excluded her.”

Comments(37)

Matsam says...
12:10pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Wonder how the young lady has been punished by her parents. Sadly schools and local authorities are stepping in where parents don't deal with their children's behaviour.

sass says...
12:23pm Fri 29 Jun 12

You're ugly and your mother wears army boots, is not bullying. Physical violence, or the threat of it, is bullying.

It is easy to give as good as you get on Face Book. I wish that was all I had to contend with when I was in school.

Kaoz__ says...
12:30pm Fri 29 Jun 12

The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet.
My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues.
He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him.
The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.

IronLady2010 says...
12:30pm Fri 29 Jun 12

The problem with websites such as Facebook is that it only takes one person to make a comment and before you know it loads of 'friends' have jumped on the bandwagon.

Many people say things on these social sites that they would never say to a persons face.

But, bullying is bullying wether it be face to face, on paper or on a website.

I feel so sorry for the schools having to deal with these modern children.

IronLady2010 says...
12:34pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet.
My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues.
He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him.
The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
This is truly awful!! Why aren't the Police involved, firstly a sexual assault is a serious criminal offence. Also, being beaten daily is a criminal offence, are you sure you should be sending your son to school knowing he's going to take a beating?

sass says...
12:36pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet. My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues. He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him. The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
Enroll your son in martial arts training. If he gets attacked he is permitted to defend himself.

Kaoz__ says...
12:37pm Fri 29 Jun 12

We got into trouble for stopping our child going to school, we had no choice. Hes been on the transfer list for 3 other schools since the incident. and as said above, the police have been involved which is why my son gets the daily beatings. The system dont work, the bullys have all the rights

IronLady2010 says...
12:41pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
We got into trouble for stopping our child going to school, we had no choice. Hes been on the transfer list for 3 other schools since the incident. and as said above, the police have been involved which is why my son gets the daily beatings. The system dont work, the bullys have all the rights
I wish your son the very best. I can only imagine how difficult it must be each day waking up dreading going to school.

It genuinely saddens me that kids have to live this way.

Ted Rogers says...
12:50pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet. My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues. He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him. The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
If this is truly the case, then as a parent you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing these 'daily beatings' and any other abuse to continue.

I find it unbelievable that such an event occured in front of so many witnesses yet no action has been taken, for you to say that both the school and the police were powerless in relation to this simply doesn't add up.
Don't be completely reliant upon others to protect your children - take responsibility.

Kaoz__ says...
12:59pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Ted Rogers wrote:
Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet. My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues. He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him. The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
If this is truly the case, then as a parent you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing these 'daily beatings' and any other abuse to continue.

I find it unbelievable that such an event occured in front of so many witnesses yet no action has been taken, for you to say that both the school and the police were powerless in relation to this simply doesn't add up.
Don't be completely reliant upon others to protect your children - take responsibility.
What else to you surgest we do? Brake the law and go after the bullys myself? We have been fighting this every day for two years, in every way we can think of.

Ted Rogers says...
1:11pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
Ted Rogers wrote:
Kaoz__ wrote: The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet. My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues. He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him. The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
If this is truly the case, then as a parent you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing these 'daily beatings' and any other abuse to continue. I find it unbelievable that such an event occured in front of so many witnesses yet no action has been taken, for you to say that both the school and the police were powerless in relation to this simply doesn't add up. Don't be completely reliant upon others to protect your children - take responsibility.
What else to you surgest we do? Brake the law and go after the bullys myself? We have been fighting this every day for two years, in every way we can think of.
Are you for real? Stop being so dumb! Remove your son immediately from harm, that would be a good starting point.

Kaoz__ says...
1:15pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Ted Rogers wrote:
Kaoz__ wrote:
Ted Rogers wrote:
Kaoz__ wrote: The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet. My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues. He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him. The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
If this is truly the case, then as a parent you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing these 'daily beatings' and any other abuse to continue. I find it unbelievable that such an event occured in front of so many witnesses yet no action has been taken, for you to say that both the school and the police were powerless in relation to this simply doesn't add up. Don't be completely reliant upon others to protect your children - take responsibility.
What else to you surgest we do? Brake the law and go after the bullys myself? We have been fighting this every day for two years, in every way we can think of.
Are you for real? Stop being so dumb! Remove your son immediately from harm, that would be a good starting point.
I beleave I have already answered that question.

BillyTheKid says...
1:19pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Matsam wrote:
Wonder how the young lady has been punished by her parents. Sadly schools and local authorities are stepping in where parents don't deal with their children's behaviour.
The point is, as far as cyber-bullying and trolling is concerned, most young people are "at it" to some degree. Many of the posts on this site that are hurtful and abusive are probably written by children.

This child has been singled out and punished by the school as a gesture to warn others. It will stay on her records permanently, and is quite likely to impact on her future.

Although the behaviour of the child is unacceptable, and there should be a significant punishment, to pick on one in this particular way is unfair and unjust. It is vindictive, and not the way a school should behave.

We all know that random "flaying about" is not the way to deal with something that is perceived to be an overwhelming problem. It has the distasteful resonance of "zero tolerance" and "crackdowns". The freedom and uncensored nature of the internet has been unleashed on a world population that is not ready, in many cases, to exercise the self-control and self-discipline required. There are many abuses of its facilities : spreading of viruses, malicious propaganda, ****, spamming, use of spyware, anonymous bullying, etc. If a way can be found such that each individual on the planet can only use one ID ever, and their real name and face is displayed each time they interact with the net, then many of the problems might become controllable.

In the real world, you cannot just walk into any home or business premises with a bag on your head, calling yourself "piggywiggy", and get taken seriously. But you can, "virtually", on the internet. That, in my opinion, has to change.

IronLady2010 says...
1:20pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Not sure if you've spoken to others such as this http://www.bullying.
co.uk/

Maybe they can provide some legal advice. I feel it is wrong to knowingly send your son for a beating and I'm not having a dig.

Walter K says...
1:28pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__

I don't actually think that you're for real. Any self-respecting parent wouldn't put their child up for this type of treatment on a daily basis. Step 1 - take your child out immediately and inform your LEA that you will be home educating until a suitable school is found. Completely legal.

Kaoz__ says...
1:28pm Fri 29 Jun 12

IronLady2010 wrote:
Not sure if you've spoken to others such as this http://www.bullying.

co.uk/

Maybe they can provide some legal advice. I feel it is wrong to knowingly send your son for a beating and I'm not having a dig.
Thank you for your advice, I will contact them.
And to the guys trolling me, There is a lot more details to this case that I cant discuss on a public forum.

ovchap says...
1:33pm Fri 29 Jun 12

well done to the school for taking action, I am sure the head teacher would not implement an exclusion without good reason ... ie something happened at school!..... I think the 'mother' should now realise that her daughter needs a bit more attention and guidance and to stop bleating that she has been hard done by.

Kaoz__ says...
1:38pm Fri 29 Jun 12

In conclusion to my rant, we have discussed with our son about the possabilitys of me giving up work to home school him. But he feels that leaving school in his most critical year would ruin his education, distroy his social life and would mean that the bullys have won.
He said he would rather deal with living in fear than giving them the satiafaction of running him out of his school.

IronLady2010 says...
1:50pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Getting back to the article, I thought Facebook introduced a report function. Can Facebook not start banning these alleged bullies?

Although, if they ban the bullies they will have no future members when they grow up I guess?

Ted Rogers says...
2:03pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
In conclusion to my rant, we have discussed with our son about the possabilitys of me giving up work to home school him. But he feels that leaving school in his most critical year would ruin his education, distroy his social life and would mean that the bullys have won. He said he would rather deal with living in fear than giving them the satiafaction of running him out of his school.
I think you would be heaping more misery on your son if you were to teach him.

I'm sure when he's older and has time to reflect, he'll rightly feel let down by your obvious lack of parental guidance and protection.

userds5050 says...
2:44pm Fri 29 Jun 12

No wonder the kids end up bullies if they have parents like the one in the example. Of course it concerns the school if one of their pupils is bullying another. Whether it happened on school premises, on the way home or in cyberspace is irrelevant. Until the parents face up to their responsibilities this type of behaviour will continue.

IronLady2010 says...
2:53pm Fri 29 Jun 12

userds5050 wrote:
No wonder the kids end up bullies if they have parents like the one in the example. Of course it concerns the school if one of their pupils is bullying another. Whether it happened on school premises, on the way home or in cyberspace is irrelevant. Until the parents face up to their responsibilities this type of behaviour will continue.
On a technical note, do these alleged Facebook bullies take their phones to school which they have used to bully others? If so, potentially they are bullying from school? Most kids these days use FB via their phone which they take to school and use whilst at school?

trina78 says...
4:17pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Ted Rogers wrote:
Kaoz__ wrote:
In conclusion to my rant, we have discussed with our son about the possabilitys of me giving up work to home school him. But he feels that leaving school in his most critical year would ruin his education, distroy his social life and would mean that the bullys have won. He said he would rather deal with living in fear than giving them the satiafaction of running him out of his school.
I think you would be heaping more misery on your son if you were to teach him.

I'm sure when he's older and has time to reflect, he'll rightly feel let down by your obvious lack of parental guidance and protection.
i'm glad you seem to understand how our son feels when you have never met him! We did remove him from the school and police were involved and several other children, as my husband says there is a lot more to this than we can post up! My son is my world and i do and will carry on protecting him as much as needed inside the law! He is an older child and believes as we do we have done and are still doing everything in our power to protect him! You obviously have not been dealing with stuff like this otherwise you would know the route you have to take to deal with something as fragile as this perticular case is!

Kaoz__ says...
4:24pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Its funny how a news artical about cracking down on children being nasty on the internet has atracted grown up trolls. Its no wounder children are bullying via the net, they are just doing what there grandparents do. Monkey see, monkey do.

IronLady2010 says...
4:27pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
Its funny how a news artical about cracking down on children being nasty on the internet has atracted grown up trolls. Its no wounder children are bullying via the net, they are just doing what there grandparents do. Monkey see, monkey do.
I don't feel people are trolling. I for one have suggested a website to go to, others have simply expressed their opinion that a child should not be subject to abuse. This is not trolling?

IronLady2010 says...
4:31pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
Its funny how a news artical about cracking down on children being nasty on the internet has atracted grown up trolls. Its no wounder children are bullying via the net, they are just doing what there grandparents do. Monkey see, monkey do.
Although, without causing a fuss, many would say you are a troll, by stating what you have.

You have suggested everyone is a troll and awaiting a reaction.

But hey, let's get back to the topic?

Kaoz__ says...
4:45pm Fri 29 Jun 12

After reading the comments properly I apologise for calling everyone trolls, I did'nt realise it was just Ted that was trying to strike up an argument. Thank you again Ironlady for your advice, it is still very much appreciated.

S!monOn says...
4:53pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Any form of bullying is sad to hear and it is worse to read when a young person takes their own life due to it.

It must be a constant worry for parents of victims - if their children can be mentally tough enough to fight of the bullies.

As a parent, something I would not want to go through or wish upon anyone else.

IronLady2010 says...
5:23pm Fri 29 Jun 12

trina78 wrote:
Ted Rogers wrote:
Kaoz__ wrote:
In conclusion to my rant, we have discussed with our son about the possabilitys of me giving up work to home school him. But he feels that leaving school in his most critical year would ruin his education, distroy his social life and would mean that the bullys have won. He said he would rather deal with living in fear than giving them the satiafaction of running him out of his school.
I think you would be heaping more misery on your son if you were to teach him.

I'm sure when he's older and has time to reflect, he'll rightly feel let down by your obvious lack of parental guidance and protection.
i'm glad you seem to understand how our son feels when you have never met him! We did remove him from the school and police were involved and several other children, as my husband says there is a lot more to this than we can post up! My son is my world and i do and will carry on protecting him as much as needed inside the law! He is an older child and believes as we do we have done and are still doing everything in our power to protect him! You obviously have not been dealing with stuff like this otherwise you would know the route you have to take to deal with something as fragile as this perticular case is!
I feel, if you are genuine regarding the Sexual assault and the daily beatings, you really need to step up your action.

I'm not saying you are doing wrong, but no child should be forced to go to school knowing they're going to be beaten, even if they say it's ok.

You have to remember childhood, will make or break your son's future. In years ahead he may suffer nightmares etc.

Put some pressure on the Police and don't take no for an answer. Like you say, we don't know the full facts. All I can go on is you stated sexual abuse and daily beatings, which is not normal behaviour for any child.

soobear says...
6:21pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
We got into trouble for stopping our child going to school, we had no choice. Hes been on the transfer list for 3 other schools since the incident. and as said above, the police have been involved which is why my son gets the daily beatings. The system dont work, the bullys have all the rights
Kaoz .....You cannot get into trouble for stopping your child from going to school, only from not educating him. You can choose home education. There are a great many people who home educate their children. You just have to go about it the right way, and you have to de-register from the school by letter.

http://www.education
-otherwise.net

This website has all the information you need, maybe for your sons sake you could look into this. I found them absolutely invaluable when I took my son out of school at the age of 11. He is now a happy & well adjusted 22 year old.

thinklikealocal says...
12:40pm Sat 30 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet. My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues. He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him. The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
I simply cannot believe that a sexual assault witnessed by a teacher and 30 fellow pupils was not acted on by police. If you made a complaint to the police, they had a duty to act on your complaint and if they found evidence of a crime then it would have been taken further. Along with your comment that your son gets 'beaten daily' now by the same child I strongly suspect a bit of 'exaggeration' on your part.

Shoong says...
3:13pm Sat 30 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet.
My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues.
He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him.
The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
Get up off your fat azz and do something about it. Don't just stop because you feel no-one's dealing with it for you.

solomum says...
3:49pm Sat 30 Jun 12

Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet.
My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues.
He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him.
The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
Have you considered moving your son out of that school? Get him out of there before he can't take any more. I know it is not his fault, but don't let him be in the situation day in, day out.

solomum says...
3:53pm Sat 30 Jun 12

solomum wrote:
Kaoz__ wrote:
The schools should practice dealing with bullys in school before they move onto the internet.
My son was sexually assulted by a boy in his class that was witnessed by 30 students and a teacher. The school and police were both powerless. Now two years on he gets beaten daily by the boy for reporting it, his life is a living hell. And still it continues.
He has given up reporting the daily beatings as it only makes it worse for him.
The anti bullying campains are only for show and do nothing to protect our childrens safety.
Have you considered moving your son out of that school? Get him out of there before he can't take any more. I know it is not his fault, but don't let him be in the situation day in, day out.
Apologies, I replied before I had read all the other comments. Get your local MP involved and see if the other child should be excluded. Reading your further comments, my heart goes out to you. You are being grossly let down by the system.

cantthinkofone says...
12:29am Sun 1 Jul 12

"Inspector Julie Fry, who leads Hampshire police’s Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Resource Group"

Relevant how?

trina79 says...
9:24pm Tue 3 Jul 12

hi i no first hand whats gone on and i think its really bad what the school has done,there was no physical contact just words on facebook from both sides and yet the school excluded the girl for it.yet my daughter was bullied by some boys at the same school and it was physical she was pushed into walls ext on a number of times and it was seen on cctv and yet the school did nothing other than say its being dealt with and the boys in question would be spoken to.and yet this poor girl exchanges word with another on facebook and excluded does that make sense to you because it does not to me

trina79 says...
10:11pm Tue 3 Jul 12

sass wrote:
You're ugly and your mother wears army boots, is not bullying. Physical violence, or the threat of it, is bullying.

It is easy to give as good as you get on Face Book. I wish that was all I had to contend with when I was in school.
i agree its all tit for tat yet the school is ment to be anit bullying yet they let 2 boys stay in school after they assaulted my daughter and it was seen on cctv,yet excluded a child for name calling on facebook out of school

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