Vodafone introduces free service to help against SMS bullying

A new initiative to make it even easier for young people to get help with TXT bullying has been announced by Vodafone. TXT is the brand Vodafone uses for the SMS (Short Message Service) feature on its mobile network.

Each month, more than 700 million TXT messages are sent through Vodafone’s network and many of these are between young people. This is a popular way to keep in touch, but for some young people it can have pitfalls.

According to Head of Company Communications and Corporate Responsibility, Alison Sykora, Vodafone has always worked to be proactive about ensuring young people are kept safe.

“Vodafone is hoping to help further, by providing a free TXT service to help any of our customers who are being targeted by a TXT bully.

“They can TXT the word ‘bully’ to 4001 and we’ll be in touch to get info and investigate,” says Sykora.

If necessary there are a number of things Vodafone can do to help, such as warning the bully, stopping TXTing from their account, temporarily barring their account or even permanently deactivating their account.

Vodafone customers have always been able to get assistance by calling 777 and this will continue, but the free TXT service provides a familiar alternative.

“Many young people are more comfortable sending a TXT than making a call and we’re hoping this will encourage them to make contact,” says Sykora.