Editorial: Tools to combat bullies needed

I remember being bullied as a child.

The fact bullying is shameful, and rightly points to deficiencies in the character of the bully, is cold comfort when you're seven years old and some kid with bruises all over his body, no shoes and the reading age of a pre-schooler insists on calling you, inexplicably, The Watermelon.

I also remember being fairly callous to other kids at times, and it makes me shudder to think I may have stopped some of my classmates from enjoying themselves at school.

And, in this digital age, cyber-bullying has introduced a new element to the stress of being young.

Bullying used to be visible and teachers could, and often would, stamp on it. Now it's one phone or computer to another, a beep on your child's phone or an email alert that they have a new facebook message.

And teenage reputation management has become much harder now young people have the skills to create fake web pages in another person's name and explosive material such as intimate photographs and public bashings can go viral.

Bullies can now reach your child even when you think they're safe: after school; in their room; when you're away on holiday together and they check their online profile.

The Law Commission has recommended amending the Harassment, Tele-communications and Human Rights Acts to make it clear they cover internet-based racial, sexual and other harassment, and using a computer "for the purpose of disturbing, annoying or irritating any person" - an offence which now applies only to using a telephone. It also proposes the creation of new offences around incitement to suicide, maliciously impersonating another person, and publishing intimate photos without consent.

One survey of 9-year-olds in 35 countries found New Zealand has the second-highest rate of school bullying. It also has the world's highest suicide rate among males aged 15 to 24.

The Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, told APN News & Media bullying by mobile phone texting or on social media such as Facebook was "often a background factor" in suicides.

Frightening. To state the obvious, suicide is an extreme outcome and one which often occurs in complex circumstances where there are existing mental health issues.

But even children with robust mental health can suffer long-term damage as a result of bullying. The Law Commission's recommendations must be supported. Bullying is too familiar in this country, and it must be fought with determination and the best tools available in the digital age.