Young people should be aware that participants in cyber bullying were not anonymous and they could be in breach of the law in serious cases, AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, told the ACT’s Deputy Principals Association last night.

He said young people should be aware that they could face heavy penalties if caught and convicted of sending offensive or threatening material to others, believing they can get away with it because they were anonymous. “That is not correct. These things are traceable and they will be caught.

“It is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, threaten, harass or offend another person. The offence carries heavy penalties.”

Mr Althaus told the deputy principals that the mobile phone industry used anti-theft technology that detects a mobile phone’s electronic serial number, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity number, then shared this information with carriers to block handsets across all networks in Australia if they were reported lost and stolen.

IMEI numbers are independent of the phone number and are usually written underneath the battery or on the back of the handset. Mobile phone users can also check their 15 digit IMEI number by dialing *#06# on their mobile handset. Mobile phone owners should make a note of their IMEI number and keep the details in a safe place.

Mr Althaus said: “Students need to know their phone does leave a footprint that can be traced in several ways.”

He said there were a range of preventative measures that could help protect young people from cyber bullying.

Young people should be careful who they gave their numbers to – only give to close friends. Do not leave their mobile where someone else can see their number and consider using calling ID blocking to hide their phone number when calling someone.

If they receive material that is threatening or insulting they should keep the message (and the time and date it was sent) as evidence and tell their parents or teachers or another adult.

He said mobile technology could be used in schools to support positive and effective learning by engaging them in technology that they know and feel comfortable with.

Mr Althaus said AMTA had entered a partnership with the national peak body for parents of schoolchildren, the Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO), to give parents information to assist them in helping their children use mobile phones in a safe and responsible manner.