Barnet police cracking down on cyber bullies (From Times Series)

Barnet police cracking down on cyber bullies

2:20pm Wednesday 2nd December 2009 in News By James Pennicott

CYBER bullies are being targeted by talks from the Oakleigh Safer Neighbourhoods Team in Barnet schools.

Problems such as nasty messages on social networking site Facebook, and insulting instant messages, are among problems facing a crackdown.

Sergeant Jim Avey visited Queenswell Junior School, on Sweets Way, Oakleigh Park, on Tuesday, speaking to eight to ten-year olds about the issues and how they can be stopped.

“I was shocked, around 90per cent of them used the internet regularly and around 95per cent had a mobile phone,” he said.

“Opening up the forum to them really helped, they were even sharing advice between them on how they beat problems.

“They were incredibly polite and attentive, and asked some really good questions.”

Sgt Avey said these problems can be beaten by picking carefully who your friends are on Facebook, and reporting any problems to the Internet Service Provider of the bully.

He said: “Under the Telecommunications Act there are offences that come under this range of problems.

“It was about letting the children know there are things they can do, and about letting the bullies know they can get in a lot of trouble as a result of this.”