The Live Wire



Press Release

PAT’S REACTION TO RATINGS WEB SITES

13 November 2006

The General Secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) has commented following the BBC documentary on online rating of teachers by pupils.

PAT General Secretary Philip Parkin said: “Posting comments about teachers on Web sites amounts to harassment and bullying.

“Teachers should not be exposed to ridicule in this way.

“Bullying is not just about physically hurting others. Adults as well as children can feel threatened, frightened, humiliated or intimidated by messages published online or sent by mobiles or by e-mail.

“Cyber-bullying is an invasion of privacy from which it can be difficult to escape.

“Stopping such online activities would be very difficult. Web sites can be based overseas and those who post comments can do so anonymously. However, I would like to see sites like this closed down – either by those who run them or by the authorities.

“What is the point of a site that lets people post anonymous, unfounded, unsupported comments about other people? It serves no useful purpose.

“The victims of cyber-bullying need protection.”



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