Anonymous web attacks must stop

Today's story on websites dedicated to spreading sexually explicit rumours about young people is disturbing on several fronts. The Mercury first reported on the issue early last year but experts and police say these types of malicious sites have grown rapidly in the past three months.There is no doubt there is a serious gap between the explosion of social media and controls over its appropriate use.The problem is that these sites are a training ground for the Facebook Generation who see it as normal to make unsubstantiated and defamatory attacks on their peers under the cover of anonymity.They post vitriolic comments they would never have the courage to write under their proper name or if they were face-to-face with the subject of their attack.Their gutlessness is breathtaking.Online bullying is a serious enough problem in its own right, causing enormous pain to the victim.But what many don’t seem to realise is that the attackers could also be committing a criminal offence.Maybe it’s time one of these nasty people was hauled before a judge and made to understand their behaviour is not only stupid and offensive, but it might also attract jail time.