‘One in five children in UK bullied online’
13 Aug 2013 3:22 AM IST
Almost one in five children in the UK who use social networking sites suffered a negative experience, including bullying, unwanted sexual messages, cyber stalking last year, research by a children's charity has found.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) also said a large number of users of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in the country were under the minimum age of 13.
The survey also showed that the most common bad experiences among children were bullying and trolling.
This involves insulting or intimidating others, usually under a pseudonym, to provoke a reaction.
The NSPCC said the survey was commissioned because of increased concern around what children and young people were being exposed to on the Internet.
Earlier this month, 14-year-old Hannah Smith, from Leicestershire, was found hanged.
Her father said she had been sent abusive messages on a social networking site.
Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron asked people to boycott websites that fail to tackle online abuse.
Claire Lilley, NSPCC safer technology expert, said: ‘It's unbearable to think any young
person should feel there is no other option but to end their life because of bullying on social
networking sites.’
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) also said a large number of users of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in the country were under the minimum age of 13.
The survey also showed that the most common bad experiences among children were bullying and trolling.
This involves insulting or intimidating others, usually under a pseudonym, to provoke a reaction.
The NSPCC said the survey was commissioned because of increased concern around what children and young people were being exposed to on the Internet.
Earlier this month, 14-year-old Hannah Smith, from Leicestershire, was found hanged.
Her father said she had been sent abusive messages on a social networking site.
Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron asked people to boycott websites that fail to tackle online abuse.
Claire Lilley, NSPCC safer technology expert, said: ‘It's unbearable to think any young
person should feel there is no other option but to end their life because of bullying on social
networking sites.’
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