SINGAPORE: Educators say cyber-bullying is becoming increasingly common all over the world and it is no different in Singapore, where over 70 percent of students have access to the internet at home.

It may be the school holidays, but 12-year-old Michelle, who studies in a reputable girl's school, has had no respite from bullying by her classmates in cyberspace.

Michelle's pictures have been defaced and she has also been insulted in a blog with over 7,000 hits.

The cyber-bullying follows months of being ostracised in school.

Michelle claims vulgarities were uttered in her face and her classmates even threatened to stab her with a pencil.

Michelle has submitted a report to the school, but when her mother spoke to the school authorities, they asked if her daughter was being overly sensitive.

Schools do not monitor students' blogs so it is hard to track cyber-bullying.

Amy Tham, Michelle's mother, a student welfare advisor, said: "She wrote 'I need help from the school, I'm becoming hateful'. My daughter is not a hateful person, but it is making her hate, it is changing her. Somebody has to do something."

Experts say the perpetuator hides behind a screen in cyber-bullying, and because they are not seen, they will say things that they do not normally say to the victim in his or her face.

The comments are often more vicious and cruel.

And because many students can access the net, it makes it easier for the bully to recruit more people into his or her group.

Esther Ng, Founder, Coalition Against Bullying, said: "It goes beyond the classroom. The victim will start thinking that the whole school knows about it but honestly, we do not know how many people are aware of it."

Responding to Channel NewsAsia's queries, the Education Ministry said it advises schools to build a strong cyber-wellness culture which covers cyber-bullying.

Bullying in school is also tackled with the help of school counsellors.

Such solutions may be in place but when it comes to the actual practice, it is usually a different story.

Mrs Tham said: "The first person I spoke to did mention that maybe she could, if she needed to, get support from the counsellors. And it was funny because she said, 'You do know where the counsellors are, right?' And my daughter said no. 'Oh, they are on the top floor, 4th floor. Well-kept secret.'"

Besides counting on teachers, the ministry said parents are also key partners in education.

Mrs Tham said: "As a parent, I need to speak up for my child. But I also want to speak up for all the parents out there who may not know enough, whose children are hurting in silence and it doesn't have to be because it needs people to take a stand.

"The perpetuators need to be helped, in their own way, because they are still young and maybe they know no better."

Talks on bullying awareness are not mandatory in Singapore's schools.


- CNA/so