“As I look back over this year, I see a significant rise in the number of problems we have tackled which involve the new technology,” said NUT secretary David Evans. “This can comprise abusive emails, posting distressing images on a website and using mobile telephones to take intrusive photographs without the person being photograph aware that it is happening.

“Fortunately, on the whole, teachers are remarkably aware of what is happening. Schools are incorporating the abuse of mobile phones into their any-bullying policies. Where images have appeared on internet website, the National Union of Teachers has been active on behalf of its members in getting them removed.

“Teachers and schools are ahead of the game, and should be applauded,” said David Evans. “In many respects schools are examples of good practice in a society which, all too often, appears indifferent or even hostile to schools’ attempts to protect young people from the effects of bullying by IT or mobiles.

“It is surely right that a mobile has no place in a classroom unless a teacher decides to use it as an educational tool. Parents who wish to be able to contact their children at break times or during the lunch hour must accept that there must exist a very clear protocol as to how and when there can be access to mobiles.

“Teachers are well aware of the problems. They know how to tackle them. What they need is the support of society.”
“As I look back over this year, I see a significant rise in the number of problems we have tackled which involve the new technology,” said NUT secretary David Evans. “This can comprise abusive emails, posting distressing images on a website and using mobile telephones to take intrusive photographs without the person being photograph aware that it is happening.

“Fortunately, on the whole, teachers are remarkably aware of what is happening. Schools are incorporating the abuse of mobile phones into their any-bullying policies. Where images have appeared on internet website, the National Union of Teachers has been active on behalf of its members in getting them removed.

“Teachers and schools are ahead of the game, and should be applauded,” said David Evans. “In many respects schools are examples of good practice in a society which, all too often, appears indifferent or even hostile to schools’ attempts to protect young people from the effects of bullying by IT or mobiles.

“It is surely right that a mobile has no place in a classroom unless a teacher decides to use it as an educational tool. Parents who wish to be able to contact their children at break times or during the lunch hour must accept that there must exist a very clear protocol as to how and when there can be access to mobiles.

“Teachers are well aware of the problems. They know how to tackle them. What they need is the support of society.”