WASHINGTON - CYBERSPACE has replaced the school yard as the preferred place for bullying among many US kids. They are going online to threaten, insult and harass each other outside the watchful eye of teachers and parents.

According to statistics, more than a third of American teenagers who use instant messaging and social networking sites such as MySpace, FaceBook, Xanga and Friendster fall victim to electronic insults, often by schoolmates.

'Many kids are involved or engaged in this behaviour because it is sort of out of distance,' said Mr Justin Patchin, assistant professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

'They do not see the harm that they are causing; they do not really think that they are doing anything wrong. They think they are just having fun.'

The bullying includes nasty remarks posted on personal pages or repeated insults during instant messaging conversations.

However, the aggression sometimes goes even further.

According to a study by the University of Wisconsin, 12.6 per cent of respondents reported they had been threatened physically and almost 5 per cent said they feared for their safety.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE