WEB OF HATRED

POPULAR Amy-Louise Paul's happy school life was turned upside down by just a few cruel strokes on a computer keyboard.

It took only minutes for a classmate she had fallen out with to set up a nasty Facebook account called "We Hate Amy-Louise".

And it took even less time for her tormentor to send a link to 237 "friends" on the social networking site, saying it was, "for all the people who hoped she would die already".

Today brave Amy- Louise, 13, is backing our Click Bullying Into Touch campaign - and told us how the ordeal has devastated the once fun-loving teen.

Mum Lisa, 41, said her daughter rang her in tears from Arthur Mellows Village College in Peterborough, Cambs, after teachers told her about the evil site.

The betting shop worker said: "She was inconsolable. Before, she didn't have a care in the world and now she's grumpy and snappy.

"It's made her feel worthless and she has contemplated suicide because she thinks people hate her. This girl doesn't appreciate the damage she has done."

"Cyber-bullying is ruining the lives of children every day. That's why we support the News of the World's campaign." Shattered Amy added: "I want there to be more awareness and show what cyber-bullying does to people."

"I have been back to school since because I don't want the bully to think she has won. It has helped me make up my mind on my future career - I want to be a solicitor to help people get justice."

Her family, who reported the matter to the police, are "disgusted" by what they see as a lack of action from the school. Officers and teachers spoke to the bully but no action was taken. Lisa has now written to Schools Secretary Ed Balls demanding he investigate what happened. A spokesman for his department said: "We will act to see if the school and local education authority have acted unreasonably."

Click for help & advice from Beatbullying

A school spokesman said it would "look at revising the cyber-bullying policy".

Our campaign has achieved huge success in five weeks - Bebo, YouTube and Facebook have all now acted to curb cyber-bullying. The government has also announced new internet child safety strategy Click Clever, Click Safe.

Thousands have signed our petition, in conjunction with Beatbullying, calling for sites to adhere to a code of conduct. Add your voice by filling in our online petition by clicking on the link above.

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Festive Lifeline

ONLINE CyberMentors are giving up their time to help bullied children on CHRISTMAS DAY.

The specially-trained youngsters will log on in case other kids need urgent advice. Volunteer Charlie Bowden, 14, from Cambridge said: "I don't mind sacrificing a few hours of my Xmas if it helps someone who's lonely or upset about being bullied."

PM Gordon Brown sent a message to the CyberMentors: "Thank you for helping young people beat bullies and have a happier Xmas."

You can access CyberMentors through Beatbullying by clicking here .

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List of shame

SCHOOLS are to be forced to record details of every bullying incident and show what ACTION was taken.

And the information will be available to parents. Schools minister Vernon Coaker said: "Bullying can ruin lives. Every child should be able to learn in an environment free from fear of bullying of any kind.

"There is no place for bullying in our schools. No matter what form bullying takes it is always unacceptable."

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