HONG KONG - One in every 10 primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong is a victim of Internet bullying, according to a recent survey.

Social workers say Hong Kong juveniles have little idea of how to tackle the problem, which can scar them psychologically.

The survey, conducted by the social service division of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ (CUBC), polled 2,629 students, and found 10.9 percent (mostly male) in Kowloon and New Territories had suffered Internet bullying.

About 45 percent of those polled said they would advise victims to seek help, while 43 percent said they'd rather turn a blind eye.

Wong Sau Wa, coordinator of the social service division of CUBC, said the survey result indicates poor awareness of online bullying.

"Students don't take it as a big deal," she said. "Victims just want to smooth it out. Few would turn to adults for help."

Wong called to build a positive cyber culture, suggesting schools to provide an Internet moral course to improve the willingness to help among students.

About 6.4 percent and 11 percent primary and secondary school students respectively said they would fight back.

"Internet bullying is hard to control," said Wong. "Information online is difficult to get rid of. Once uploaded, articles and videos spread rapidly. It's almost impossible to completely clear them afterwards."

Kitty Or, currently an associate degree student, said a video of her classmate using the toilet was uploaded on Facebook, attracting 60 college mates to the online group until teachers stepped in a week later. "He was ridiculed by girls and had to turn to psychological help," she said.

"We should adopt a zero tolerance policy towards Internet bullying," said Wong. "Victims of virtual bullying can suffer a lot more than those bullied in the real world, as you can't hide from the Internet, but in real life you can."

About 63 percent of primary school students and 48 percent of secondary school students voted in favor of courses on how to deal with virtual bullying.

More than half of the students said they were ready to have face-to-face talks or a hotline to call for help.

CHINA DAILY

(China Daily 06/11/2010 page2)