A NEW service allowing mobile phone users to block unwanted messages from other phones will be available from next month.
The service, designed to combat bullying on mobile phones is being offered by O2 and is likely to appeal in particular to parents worried about their children’s exposure to such threats.
With one recent survey showing that over one-fifth of teenagers have been subjected to bullying online or by phone, the mobile phone industry is under increasing pressure to develop new products to prevent bullying or else face the introduction of new laws.
O2’s service, called Block It, allows O2 customers to block unwanted text, picture and video messages from other mobile phone numbers. Available from mid-June, it can block messages sent from any Irish mobile network and will work on any mobile handset.
The service, developed for O2 by Irish messaging services company Anam Mobile, is available free of charge.
Welcoming the initiative, Minister for Children Barry Andrews said modern technology had become another means by which hurtful messages were delivered.
“Mobile phones are a great way for us all to stay connected and any abuse of this form of communication should not be allowed to overshadow its many benefits,” he said.
Earlier this month, O2 introduced the Firefly, a simplified mobile phone aimed at younger users and their parents.
Last December, rival phone operator 3 introduced an application to allow parents control their children’s mobile phone use.
Market leader Vodafone said yesterday it had “very specific plans” in this area but was not in a position to divulge details at present.
Last week, the company gave €50,000 to Childline to fund a new programme to tackle cyber-bullying.
