Bebo joins the fight against online bullies
As The Citizen continues its campaign to stamp out the internet bullies who made 13-year-old Sam’s life hell, the social networking site says it has put measures in place to help those who are being threatened.
Sam's family, from Tredworth, hit out at social networking sites following his apparent suicide earlier this month.
Now Bebo has said it will do more to stop the online bullies.
A spokesman for the site, which is based in Austin, Texas, said they were working with support groups in a bid to tackle the growing problem.
He said: “"We are shocked and saddened by the death of Sam Leeson.
“Bebo continues to actively work with mental health and social care organisations, including the Samaritans, to provide support and advice for its members.
“We have strict terms of use which users agree to at the point of registration, under which inappropriate or illegal communications are strictly forbidden.
“Content which comes to our attention that contravenes those terms is immediately suspended and investigated.
“We educate our users to be responsible and to understand that they are not anonymous online as their activity creates a digital record of behaviour which, should it breach our terms, can be used to assist law enforcement if required.”
Anthony Langan, from the Samaritans, said teenagers were increasingly at risk from online bullying.
He said: “Working with Bebo lets Samaritans engage with young people through the internet.
“Teenagers are one of the most 'at risk' groups and increasingly use the internet to access advice from support services. Suicide is an issue for society as a whole – the internet provides a window into the issues young people are dealing with.
“ Samaritans has been invited to join the Prime Minister's UK Council on Child Internet Safety and one of things we will be pressing for is a commitment from government to promote services such as ours to young people wherever they are.”
Citizen
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