Cyberbully
fears spark increase in calls to helplines
By Conall Ó
Fátharta
Wednesday,
November 14, 2012
Children’s groups and
organisations for parents have seen a rise in numbers calling with concerns
about cyberbullying.
Both the ISPCC and Parentline confirmed
that they had received a spike in the number of calls and enquiries following
the tragic deaths of teenagers Erin Gallagher in Donegal and Ciara Pugsley in
Leitrim. Both girls took their own lives in recent months after being the
victims of cyberbullying.
Margie Roe, national Childline manager with
the ISPCC, said the service receives about 11,000 calls a year on the subject
of bullying, but that an increase had been recorded in the last number of
months.
"At various times of the year it goes up and down," said Ms Roe.
"In April, we saw a significant rise and in the last number of months
also. We get about 11,000 calls a year on the subject of bullying and the
majority of those encompass cyberbullying, whether it be on mobile phones or on
various social networking sites."
Ms Roe said the ISPCC support line for
parents and adults had also received an increase in those asking for advice on
how to deal with cyberbullying.
"That sort of increase, while not huge, is definitely not usual," she
said. "We have also received a lot of emails from teachers looking for
tips and outreach advice in dealing with internet safety for their pupils."
Parentline CEO Rita O’Reilly said its service had seen approximately an 18%
increase in the number of calls it received this year when compared to last
year.
She said while the rate of calls varies from
month to month, the issue of cyberbullying was increasingly on the radar of
parents.
Speaking on Today FM, founder and director of the Anti-Bullying Centre in
Trinity College, Mona O’Moore, said there was a definite link between bullying
and suicide.
"It’s probably far more significant than we are prepared to accept, and I
think it’s coming out more clearly now because of the most recent tragic
events, but it has always been there," said Prof O’Moore.
"It’s hugely damaging to be bullied because it gets at the core of who you
are, particularly when you are isolated and you have nobody to talk to.
"When you think of man’s greatest needs, one of them is to belong, to be
in control, and to feel confident. All of those needs, in a sense, are thwarted
and frustrated by being bullied. Particularly the need to belong, which is huge
in a teenager, when they are forming their identity.
"You can imagine how hugely damaging that is and where is the light at the
end of the tunnel then, if you are going to school every day with no adult
intervention."
Meanwhile, the president of the National Anti-Bullying Coalition, Monica
Monahan, will today make a presentation to senators and TDs.
How to cope
Tips for dealing with cyberbullying
* Don’t respond to the bully — save the evidence and show a trusted adult.
* Keep the message, note date and times, and show to a trusted adult.
* Block the sender. If the harassment is coming in the form of instant
messages, texts, or profile comments, use preferences or privacy tools to block
the person. If it is in chat, leave the room, or contact your internet service
provider.
* If on a webpage or social network, report the abusive messages to the site
provider.
* Above all, tell someone what is going on. You don’t have to cope alone.
* Buy a webcam cover for your webcams at C-SLIDE. This will protect you from webcam spying.
