Fears rise over extent of cyber-bulling

INTERNET service providers are virtually powerless to prevent cyber-bullying, with social networking sites fast becoming a popular vehicle for targeting vulnerable young people.

As a survey published yesterday suggested that one in five girls and one in five boys have been the victims of cyber-bullying, calls have been made for restrictions on internet usage for young people.

Last night’s RTÉ Prime Time Investigates programme revealed that one in 11 secondary school pupils admitted engaging in cyber-bullying, using social networking sites; mobile phone text messaging; internet chatrooms and video clips.