Cyber Bullying
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has published research suggesting that up to one in five pupils has been bullied via the internet or mobile phones. The research identified seven types of cyber-bullying, ranging from abusive text messages, e-mails and phone calls to bullying in internet chatrooms, social networking sites and instant messaging. The Alliance has issued the following guidelines to help prevent cyber-bullying and deal with incidents when they occur:
- Schools to include strategies to deal with cyber-bullying in their mandatory anti-bullying policies
- All communication technology on school sites (or as part of school activities off site) should be monitored and where necessary, restricted
- Parents should ensure that they and their child understand how to use technology safely
- Young people should not respond to abusive e-mails, texts or phone calls, but should always tell an adult and contact their service provider for advice on how to block calls, keeping e-mails and texts as evidence
- Young people should keep to public areas of chatrooms and never give out personal contact details onliine or post pictures of themselves
Further advice can be found at:
www.stoptextbully.com
www.chatdanger.com/mobiles/safetyadvice_learn.aspx
www.bullying.co.uk
What to do if you are "spammed"
Spamming is the unsolicited sending of block text messages. Recipients do not have to pay to receive these messages but are encouraged by these text messages to call/text a number which is often a premium rate number.
It is important to point out that operators do not support "spamming" but do send their customers genuine text messages relating to promotions and operational messages containing information considered vital to the customer. However operators advise that if a customer receives a text messages to call/text a number they do not recognize they should ignore it. Each operator offers guidelines on the action you can take, and all take measures to combat nuisance calls/text, whether its a number change, call diversion or helpline numbers.
Contact Details
O2 -
Pay & Go customers can dial 4445 from their handset (charges apply)
Pay & Go UK - 08705 678 678
Pay & Go Online - 0906 302 4445
Pay Monthly UK - 0870 241 0202
Pay Monthly Online - 0870 600 3009
Orange -
Customers can call 150 (451 for Pay As You Go) or email customerservices@orange.co.uk.
Alternative numbers to call are:
07973 100150
07973 10045
T-Mobile - Recommend that customers either call 150 from their handset, or fill in a web contact form on their website at http://www.t-mobile.co.uk if they believe they may have received an unsolicited (SPAM) text message.Once they do this the matter will be investigated & T-Mobile will make every attempt to block the sender.
Vodafone -Report harassment text/calls to the customer care team on 191, and also to the police. The police should give you a crime reference number, and then Vodafone can change your number free of charge. They also provide an infopack to customers reporting nuisance calls.
Customers can also send complaints about spamming to the Information Commissioneron 01625 545700 or by visiting www.dataprotection.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can contact ICSTIS - The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services - as follows:
Enquiries & Complaints about Premium Rate Numbers
Online
Please click http://www.icstis.org.uk/consumers/ncd/default.asp to use their premium rate number checking service. This will also give you access to their online complaint form.
Telephone
If after using the online service you require further assistance, please call the Contact Centre on 0800 500 212. Normal hours of operation are 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Did you know that all you have to do to unsubscribe from a Premium Rate Text Message Service is send the word STOP back to the sender of the message.
For more information, click here http://www.icstis.org.uk/consumers/faqs/reverse_billed_sms.asp
ICSTIS have launched a website offering information and advice to children and young people using 'text' or SMS subscription services, TV phone-in competitions and the internet. The site can be found at: www.phonebrain.org.uk
Also available from ICSTIS is '7 Top Tips for Protecting Yourself' against Premium rate scams - download the leaflet at: http://www.icstis.org.uk/pdfs_news/prs_protection_factsheet.pdf
How to stop unwanted messages - Telephone Preference Service
In order to stop unwanted SMS promotions, you can register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). Mobile numbers can be registered on the Telephone Preference Service to block unwanted voice sales and marketing calls. Those who wish to market by text, picture, video message do not need to screen against TPS but they need to obtain prior consent before sending messages. It is incorrect to advice consumers that registering on the TPS will stop unsolicited sales and marketing SMS messages.
The Information Commissioner's Office has issued guidance on what constitutes prior consent and their advice is as follows:
"There must be some form of communication whereby the individual knowingly indicates consent. This may involve ticking a box, clicking an icon, sending an email/text or subscribing to a service. The crucial consideration is that the individual must fully understand that by the action in question they will be signifying consent."
The Information Commissioner's Office is responsible for enforcing the Regulations and is the body to contact in connection with any complaints about the receipt of unsolicited sales and marketing SMS texts. The Telephone Preference Service helps to make sure your telephone number is no longer available to companies who may telephone you with offers and information you do not wish to receive.
Under Government legislation introduced in 1999 it is unlawful to make direct marketing calls to individuals who have indicated that they do not wish to receive them. Registration with the TPS should stop all such calls.
You can register you telephone number with TPS in one of the following ways:
Online: At http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
Telephone: You can call the registration line on 0845 070 0707 (local rate). You will be asked to record the telephone number you wish to register and leave your name and address so that the registration can be confirmed in writing.
Fax: You can fax your request, including your name, telephone number and your address to 0845 070 0706 (local rate). Alternatively, you can write to:
The Telephone Preference Service Ltd
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SS
Registration will take 28 days to take effect.
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