Government agency stands up to online bullies
- By Dawn Raider
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Wed 1 Oct 2008 12:54
A very welcome move. It will be interesting to see how this works in practice. :
A NEW government agency was launched this week aimed at protecting children from cyber-bullying when they use the Internet.
The UK Council for Child Internet Safety, which is made up from a coalition of charities, public authorities and and web experts, will police the web for children, tackle issues such as online bullying and order that websites considered harmful be taken down.
It also plans to develop a voluntary code of conduct for websites.
The council, which will report directly to the prime minister, was set up in response to a report by psychologist Tanya Byron earlier this year into how young people and families can make the most of the Internet while protecting children's safety online.
Speaking ahead of the launch, children's secretary Ed Balls said: "We want to help children and young people to make the most of what all digital and interactive technologies can offer.
"By putting in place the right support for children, young people and parents, we can reduce much of the anxiety that exists around the Internet."
Replies
- By morello
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Re: Government agency stands up to online bullies
Wed 1 Oct 2008 13:06Thank you for telling us about this, but maybe you can tell us what this has to do with carers and caring. From somebody working 24/7 for nothing and with no support or help, I fail to see of what use this is to me and many others I would think on this site. Maybe it belongs elsewhere ????
Mo
- By Parsifal
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Re: Government agency stands up to online bullies
Wed 1 Oct 2008 13:28I would have thought that the subject does have some relevance for parent carers, children with disabilities and their siblings as well as child carers are not infrequently subjected to bullying because they or the family member is "different" and bullying among children has spread from the street and playground to the Internet and social networking sites. I just hope that it works.
- By Dawn Raider
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Re: Government agency stands up to online bullies
Wed 1 Oct 2008 13:29Sure Morello. My son is 14 and has a learning disability - he uses the internet a lot. I also have a 19 year old daughter and a grandson aged 9.
Does that make more sense now?
- By Parsifal
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Re: Government agency stands up to online bullies
Wed 1 Oct 2008 15:06Information on the online bullying of school-age children can be found on the dcfs website.
- By morello
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Re: Government agency stands up to online bullies
Thu 2 Oct 2008 11:02My apologies,having never been a victim of bullying although my sister was severely handicapped, I was lucky enough to have friends at school who were there for me. Consequently I did not see the reason for others to be bullied. Times have changed and this is very sad
Mo
- By Tricia
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Re: Government agency stands up to online bullies
Thu 2 Oct 2008 14:42A child or a person does not have to be brought up with a person with a disability to be bullied. I know people who have been bullied in the workplace just for having a different like to those they work with. I know of children who have been bullied because they don't have the latest craze. The list goes on and on and on when it comes to bullying.
It is where does one cross the line from light banter to affecting someone's life through their actions towards another! That is classed as bullying.
Sticks and stones may break one's bones but names will never harm me. The soul is far more sensitive than what a lot of people realise!
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