SOCIAL networking site Bebo and Microsoft’s instant messaging service are hot-spots for bullying, research suggested today.
Charity Beatbullying found that nearly a third (30%) of 11 to 16-year-olds who had been “cyberbullied” had been targeted on Bebo, which was nicknamed “Bullybo” among some young people.
More than half (57.9%) of those who had suffered bullying online had been harassed using Windows Live Messenger.
Video footage of bullying had been posted on YouTube in 15.5% of cases. Other sites used included Facebook (11.3%) and MySpace (10.3%).
Emma-Jane Cross, chief executive of Beatbullying, said: “We know the consequences of cyberbullying are just as traumatic as those of face-to-face bullying; in the past year alone, we’ve witnessed tragic suicides resulting from relentless online hate campaigns.
“We must all act together, and fast.”
