People power platform to block cyberbullying

The strength of people power is to be harnessed to help identify and block subtle cyberbullying that can currently get through online filters.

A team at Dublin City University (DCU) will soon make public its site where anybody can log on and give examples of phrases or terms that could be used to harass or bully online.

While there are a range of software filters which will pick up on obvious derogatory terms, allowing site operators step in or parents to be alerted, the idea is to use technology to raise a flag when non-explicit — but also potentially offensive — language is used.