Abusive text messages targeted at children


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According to recent statistics published by the Daily Express, 25% of UK children aged 5 - 16 possess a mobile phone. While there are a number of advantages in parents being able to contact their sons and daughters at any time via a call or text message - and vice versa - serious downsides are emerging.

We have already heard about the dangers of potential over-exposure to radio-waves (as yet scientifically unproven) to thinner, juvenile skulls. We have also seen widespread reports about children being mugged on the streets for their phones and bleepers. Now another, and more sinister, development is emerging - text message abuse.

In April, NOP conducted a poll which revealed that somewhere in the region of half a million children between the ages of seven and 16 have been sent intimidating and/or sexually biased text messages. It also appears that youngsters can also become obsessed with constantly messaging friends - albeit innocuously - to the point that they are becoming distracted from their school work and generally reticent and withdrawn.

In such cases, parents are being advised to come to an arrangement to limit usage to, for example, ten pounds’ worth of phone card per month - deducted from pocket money - and to confiscate the phone for anything up to a week at a time by way of punishment if the deal is not adhered to.

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