Bullying and Harassment
New Zealand is fortunate that both Vodafone NZ and Telecom NZ have joined with NetSafe to combat text bullying.
Text bullying can take a number of forms:
- mean or offensive messages - received once or repeatedly
- being bombarded by a large volume of messages (e.g. over 25 a day)
- offensive or upsetting photo or video messages
- threatening messages
- persistent unwanted messages
Many people who are text bullied do not feel comfortable talking with others about the bullying. But talking with someone can help. If you are a young person, your parent or caregiver could support you to work with your school, your service provider or even the Police if the situation is very serious. Text bullies leave an electronic trail, so they can be caught, and, if their behaviour is criminal, they may even be prosecuted.
If you get unwanted messages
- Don't reply. Sometimes the sender will get bored and stop sending messages if they don't get a reply. Another reason for not replying is that if you need to make a complaint to your telecommunications company, replying can delay the process. Often people will reply to messages if they do not recognise the number, or because the content is upsetting. If you have sent a single message asking 'Who is this?' or asking the person to stop texting you, this will not delay the complaint process.
- It is also important to keep the messages on your phone until you report the content. If you can't keep the messages on your phone, keep a log of the time, date and content of the messages, as well as the phone number the messages were sent from. The date and time of the message is usually contained in a 'time-stamp' at the beginning or end of the text message.
- Talk to a trusted adult (for instance a parent or caregiver, a teacher or guidance counsellor at school) or call us on 0508 NETSAFE - 0508 638 723. It's important to talk to someone about what's going on so they can provide you with support and help you out if necessary.
- If you receive a message which threatens to harm you or your property, you should keep the message saved on your phone and go to your local police station. Ask to see a sworn officer and get a police complaint number. It can be helpful to take a friend or an adult with you.
If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 111 straight away.
Who can you call about unwanted messages?
NetSafe: 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)
Telecom (if you are a Telecom customer): Call them free if the bullying persists on 0800 809 806. Hours are Mon-Fri, 9:00 - 4:00.
Vodafone (if you are a Vodafone customer): Call them free on 777 from your mobile, or on 0800 800 021 from a landline. The Vodafone call centre is available 7 days, 8am to 8pm.
What can your mobile phone company do?
Your mobile company can send a warning to the bully or can ban people from their network. In some cases they can provide a change of number, although in most cases this is not effective. They can also assist law enforcement in serious cases.
How do I make a complaint to my mobile phone company?
Both Telecom and Vodafone can begin an investigation if you have received 4 or more unwanted messages from the same number within a week. Remember, an investigation will usually only happen if the phone company can see that you haven't been calling or texting back (more than once), and your reply was not harassing. Asking 'Who is this?' or asking the person to stop texting (just once) is acceptable.
If you have sent more than one message (or made more than one call) to the bully's phone during that week, then it's important that you stop sending messages immediately. Once you have stopped replying, you can start collecting a call log (as described above). Once you have 4 unreplied to messages you can contact your phone company. If the messages are threatening, you do not have to wait before reporting it to the Police (remember not to reply to threatening messages).
Vodafone and Telecom require the time, date, and content of the messages, as well as the phone number the messages were sent from. The date and time of the message is usually contained in a 'time-stamp' at the beginning or end of the text message.
Things you can do to prevent text bullying
- Be very careful about who you give out your number to. Also, don't give someone else's number out without asking them first.
- Don't reply to texts from people you don't know. In some cases, bullies send out random texts and wait to see who responds.
- Think about whether something you're sending might make another person feel uncomfortable. Whether it is a 'joke' or something about yourself or another person, be aware that what you send might be taken the wrong way or sent on to someone you don't want to have it. If in doubt, don't send it.
- Always ask before taking a photo of another person (with your phone or other device) and check that it is ok before sending it to anyone else. Once you send a picture to another person it is out of your control and may be circulated among more people than you first thought. Be aware that pictures can be manipulated by others after they have been sent and may be posted online or distributed to an unknown audience.
Text chat
If you are using text chat, be careful about your choice of a nickname. People may make assumptions about who you are based on that name.
If you are using Vodafone text chat services and you get messages that make you feel uncomfortable, you can send the IGNORE command to 220 to stop receiving messages from that chatter. With Telecom, if you are playing Chat and Flirt, simply text the word 'IGNORE', then a space, then the person's nickname to 220. That will block that particular player. If you are playing T2 (Talk To) you can block any other player by texting 'BLOCK', then a space, then the person's nickname to 225.
Links to further information
Click here to read more about cyberbulling
Click here to see the Vodafone/ NetSafe brochure
Click here to see Vodafone's webpage on responsible mobile phone use
Click here to see Telecom brochures on mobile safety
Click here to see Telecom's 'Stop Mobile Bullying!' webpage
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