Doctors have been urged to look out for children whose health may be suffering as a result of sexting or revenge porn. GPs have previously been warned that children who seem withdrawn, or who complain of mysterious stomach pains or headaches, may be being bullied or abused. Research by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the UK found that 20% of 11 and 12-year-olds who are active on social media report being upset on a daily basis by trolling, cyberbullying and/or sexual imagery.  (The Sunday Times, reported The Week, Nov 2014).

Kids will be kids, but where are the parents? Bringing up children is not a part-time job. It requires constant attention, exhortation, lecturing, recrimination and encouragement. Some parents seem to think it’s like having a pet. They will pay dearly for that delusion.

There are ways of stopping children getting involved in trolling and cyber-bullying, but it takes energy and vigilance to protect them. I personally think that the cowards doing the sexting and bullying should be tracked down and sued. It is certainly un-Epicurean. But then people mistake bullying, licence and crude, bad taste for freedom of expression. There is a difference between liberty and licence. Anonymous bullying is uncivilized. Epicureans should stand for civilised behaviour and protect the vulnerable.