Cyberbully: The Secret Way Children Are Getting Bullied Online

A new blog by Bark has warned that Google Docs is being used by youngsters in some schools to cyberbully their classmates

It’s one of Google’s most popular programmes, but it seems that Google Docs is being used in a sinister way by some children.

A new blog by Bark has warned that Google Docs is being used by youngsters in some schools to cyberbully their classmates.

While the document-editing programme is often used for assignments or group projects, some children are using Google Docs to taunt others.

The blog explained: “We’ve seen more than 60,000 cases of kids ganging up on other children in Google Docs.

“They work in tandem to write mean or hurtful things in a shared Google Doc.

“In other cases, kids create private, digital ‘burn books’ and invite others to contribute while leaving out the teased child.”

Other inventive children have started using Google Docs as an alternative to chatrooms while in class.

The blog added: “Schools often block stand-alone chatrooms and social media platforms with a firewall, and students know that websites for school work can’t be blocked.

“Classroom chats in Google Docs can then pick up right where they left off when kids get home.

“While parents may think their child is deep into a history paper, they may actually just be chatting with friends.”

Google’s policy strictly prohibits bullying on Google Docs.

The guidelines say: “Anyone using our services to single someone out for malicious abuse, to threaten someone with serious harm, to sexualise a person in an unwanted way, or to harass in other ways may have the offending content removed or be permanently banned from using the service.”

However, actually enforcing these guidelines can be tricky, especially given privacy issues surrounding data within Google Docs.

Mirror Online has contacted Google for comment.

Source: UK Mirror