Mayor seeks to stop cyber-bullying

BOSTON -- Mayor Tom Menino launched a new initiative to protect students from cyber-bullying Friday in Dorchester.

“I urge Facebook, Twitter and all social networking sites to examine their policies,” Menino told John W. McCormack Middle School students.

Menino also announced a cyber-bullying tip line will be launched next Tuesday.

Students and parents have expressed increased concern about bullying, both in person and online, after recent incidents in Waltham and Newburyport, plus a suicide in South Hadley.

“We’re very concerned that this thing could spiral out of control. Every kid nowadays has a cell phone, has access to a computer. There’s a lot of this chatter going on and it can be very corrosive,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley.

High school students from TechBoston Academy produced a public service announcement to stress the viral effects of online bullying.

“These kids surprised me. They’re willing to come forward. That shows me these kids have some self-confidence and they know we’re there to help them,” Menino said.

Menino said he has more meetings and announcements planned in upcoming weeks.

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