Crack down on school cyber bullying
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 12:04
Dr Bruce Flegg MPShadow Minister for Education & TrainingMember for Moggill10 March 2010
Crack down on school Cyber Bullying
DEVICES used to record bullying against schoolchildren would be immediately confiscated under legislation proposed by the LNP.
Shadow Minister for Education and Training Dr Bruce Flegg said the practice of recording and distributing images of violence against children had become all too common in Queensland schools.
“Cyber bullying in schools is a growing problem but Bligh and Labor seem to have no coherent plan to deal with the issue,” he said.
“It is becoming all too common to hear of school students staging brutal attacks just to record the violence on their mobile phones then share it with their mates or post it online,” he said.
“It is estimated one in 10 school children are victims of cyber bullying with mobile phones and social networking sites making it harder for school children to escape from their tormentors.
“Cyber bullying means the shame and anguish caused by a violent attack can continue even after the bruises have healed.
“It is important to send a message to the community that these sorts of actions are no more acceptable than any other form of intimidation.”
Dr Flegg said the LNP’s proposed anti-cyber bullying laws would allow for the immediate confiscation of devices used for recording or viewing images of violence against schoolchildren.
“This legislation will ensure that recording and distributing images of violence is an offence and empower police, principals and teachers to confiscate mobile phones and other technology used to cyber bully,” he said.
“Current laws are largely unused because there are no penalties that are appropriate for the age of the bully and their actions.”
“This will make it clear to all concerned that bashing or assaulting a child to photograph the assault and circulate it – or put it on the internet – is serious, and will be dealt with.
“Confiscating the technology is a practical, immediate penalty, fitting of the crime, which can easily be enforced by school principals and the police.”
Media contact: Leonie Shepherd - 0414 794 796