Anonymity on social networking sites encourage cyber bullies

MELBOURNE: The trend of cyber bullies is becoming rampant, as users on a social networking site become perfect targets for them.

International site FormSpring.Me has recorded an incredible growth in popularity among Australian teenagers since its launch in November.

The free site has user accounts, which can be linked to Twitter or Facebook. It allows users to post questions and write responses anonymously.

According to Australian cyber bullying expert, former police officer Susan McLean, more and more parents approach her every day to seek help for their children who are victims of online bullies.

"It's becoming problematic - more people are joining it and more people are abusing it," The Daily Telegraph quoted McLean as saying.

"There is nothing positive with FormSpring.Me. You go on it to wreak havoc with someone else's life."

The phenomenon has become such a serious threat, that the site instructs users facing harassment to deny anonymous questions, block unwanted users or, in the case of a threat or crime, contact the police.

Sydney girl Teagan Christodoulou, 15, said she was invited to set up a FormSpring.Me account through social networking site Facebook.

"Five weeks later a girl started saying really nasty things about me," she said.

"Teagan is a backstabbing slut," read one of the anonymous posts.

"It was upsetting. I always thought I was pretty much friends with everyone," Teagan said.