The Anti-Bullying Alliance has published research suggesting that up to one in five pupils has been bullied via the internet or mobile phones. David Hobson examines the options.

Mobile, Internet and wireless technologies have increased the pace of communication and brought benefits to users worldwide. But their popularity provides increasing opportunities for misuse through cyberbullying.

Research commissioned by the Anti-Bullying Alliance from Goldsmiths College, University of London, identifies seven categories of cyberbullying:

• Text message bullying involves sending unwelcome texts that are threatening or cause discomfort.
• Picture/video-clip bullying via mobile phone cameras is used to make the person being bullied feel threatened or embarrassed, with images usually sent to other people. 'Happy slapping' involves filming and sharing physical attacks.
• Phone call bullying via mobile phone uses silent calls or abusive messages. Sometimes the bullied person's phone is stolen and used to harass others, who then think the phone owner is responsible. As with all mobile phone bullying, the perpetrators often disguise their numbers, sometimes using someone else's phone to avoid being identified.
• Email bullying uses email to send bullying or threatening messages, often using a pseudonym for anonymity or using someone else's name to pin the blame on them.
• Chat room bullying involves sending menacing or upsetting responses to children or young people when they are in a web-based chat room.
• Bullying through instant messaging (IM) is an Internet-based form of bullying where children and young people are sent unpleasant messages as they conduct real-time conversations online.
• Bullying via websites includes the use of defamatory blogs (web logs), personal websites and online personal polling sites. There has also been a significant increase in social networking sites for young people, which can provide new opportunities for cyberbullying.

It is compulsory for schools to have policies and e-security solutions in place to prevent and tackle all these areas of cyberbullying. New Government guidelines set out simple steps to prevent cyberbullying and deal with incidents when they occur. These crucial new guidelines specify that, "all e-communications used on the school site or as part of school activities off-site are monitored and where necessary restricted." (www.dfes.gov.uk)

Ingoing and outgoing emails may well already have a monitoring process in place but are all e-communications being monitored? What about Instant Messaging?

IM is proliferating into networks and desktops faster than any communications medium in history and it is vital to ensure your pupils use of Instant Messaging is being monitored.

"Cyberbullying is an issue that needs to be addressed," says Dave Draycott, Managing Director EMEA Akonix. "The recent government recommendations stating that content should be monitored and saved is proof of this."

Software such as Akonix, provided by the security integrators Global Secure Systems, allows the provision of secure and controlled access to IM while logging all conversations to ensure compliance with industry and government regulations.

Successful establishments need to adapt to new threats and the change needed to fight against them. This involves continual evaluation of potential future threats and being aware of the cyberbullying that may be taking place.

David Hobson is the MD of Global Secure Systems (www.gsec.co.uk/akonix ) The company is exhibiting at Infosecurity Europe 2007, Europe's number one dedicated Information security event. Now in its 12th year, the show continues to provide an unrivalled education programme, new products & services, over 300 exhibitors and 11,600 visitors from every segment of the industry. Held on the 24th - 26th April 2007 in the Grand Hall, Olympia, this is a must attend event for all professionals involved in Information Security. www.infosec.co.uk