Text bullies may have phones shut down

Text bullies have been warned their cellphones could be shut down as complaints to police increase.

The police said about 75 calls had been referred to them because of cellphone text threats of harm.

"Some calls have been extremely serious, involving young people being groomed for sexual abuse and people attempting suicide," said NetSafe spokeswoman, Rachel Harrison in the latest issue of the police Ten One magazine.

NetSafe, an internet safety group, said it had received 150 calls from people claiming to be bullied or harassed on the internet or cellphones, and had referred half of them to police.

Ms Harrison said after police were called and a trespass notice was served on one text bully, the victim received another threat.

"U r goin 2 f..k regret evah gtn a trespas order nme u b...h u watch out im atti goin 2 kill u trespas order or not. got it I WILL KILL U," the message read.

The police said they could take immediate action to have a text bully's cellphone disabled or issue a warning through the cellphone company.

- NZPA