Web sites that allow people to bully others anonymously should be regulated and moderated properly.

Jeremy Todd, chief executive of the charity Family Lives, said the online bullying of 15 year old Natasha MacBryde was "awful and unacceptable". Natasha was found dead on a railway 150 yards from her home in Bromsgrove in Worcestershire in February.

The coroner at her inquest called the ‘trolls’ who bullies Natasha and others online ‘vile and disgusting’.

Trolling – bullying and abusive messages anonymously posted to the web – is thought to be on the rise. Since January 2009 Family Lives has seen calls to its bullying helpline increase by 13% and calls about cyberbullying soar by 77%.

Another charity Beat Bullies has taken more than one million calls to its web site CyberMentors since 2009. Social media and technologies that identify where people are, have made it easier for cyberbullies. Richard Piggin from CyberMentors said, “"In the past if you were bullied at school you could find sanctuary at home, but now bullying can happen 24 hours a day, on your mobile and social networking sites. If you are on your own in your bedroom at night, how can you escape?"

Up to a third of 16 – 19 year olds have reported that they have been cyberbullied. And that cyberbullying is more vicious than bullying in real life.

People working in this area are particularly worried about web sites that have been set up with the aim of spreading gossip and lies without having to identify themselves.

Following the death of Natasha MacBryde, tribute pages were set up on Facebook which were targeted by bullies who continued to make vicious attacks on Natasha. One person has since been arrested.

Useful contacts

Cybermentors

Advice from the Dept of Education

 

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