Firstly, tell someone you trust what is happening: mum, dad, a teacher or a friend. Even if you think that this could make the problem worse, it's essential that someone knows what is happening.

If a bully has got hold of your mobile number or email address, make sure you keep a record of all the texts or emails.

Affirmative action

If the bullying becomes too much to handle you can contact your service provider to change your phone number.
If you are being targeted via your email address, you can change your address by re-registering with your Internet Service Provider.
Both these options are not ideal, as they penalise the victim in terms of time and cost, but they are effective in eliminating the bully.

What you need to know...

• Text harassment is a crime If you report text message harassment to your service provider they will in turn report the incident to the police as it is a crime.
• Getting rid of the bully can be costly for the victim. The only way to completely stop the bullying may be by losing all their phone credit when they have to change the phone number.  Essentially, when this happens the child is being penalised.
• Messaging from computer to phone can be untraceable
• Cyber and text bullying continues after school unlike the traditional playground bullying which ends when the child goes home. As long as they have their mobile with them a child can be texted at anytime day or night - work or play.
• Don't blame the yourself.  You should not be blamed as you did not invite it. It happens just as the traditional bullying happens.
• If you, your child, or someone you know, is receiving threatening texts or calls that upset or offend, your network should have a number that you can call to bar or report calls.

BT Cellnet: 01753 565 000
Orange 0800 801080
Nokia 0870 0555777

Get help !!!!

To get support Tesco Mobile has also launched a text back service to help.

What to do…..

To get help online click here

To read more about what to do if you are being bullied

Find out about - setting boundaries

Click to go back to our SPACE page.