So-called happy slaps are assaults or bullying say teachers

They condemned such assaults and urged parents not to buy children video mobile phones.

Attacks on children which were filmed using the phones should simply be called bullying or assaults, said the Professional Association of Teachers.

Delegates at the union's conference called for urgent action to tackle what is reported to be a violent trend.

They backed a motion criticising the use of the "light-hearted" phrase "happy slapping" to describe these incidents at the annual conference in Buxton, Derbyshire,

'Unbelievably inaccurate'

Jim O'Neill, who proposed the motion, said: "Those who call for a ban on youngsters owning such phones are in a dream world.

"It's too late, we've gone too far. However, I would urge parents to think long and hard before buying such a phone for their offspring."

He said the phrase "happy slapping" was "unbelievably inaccurate".

"If you are the victim of such an attack, for that is what it is, you aren't very happy.

"The perpetrators might be having a big laugh at your expense but what might once have been thought of as a harmless prank now goes well beyond that into the realms of common assault, and in the cases of youngsters in our schools into the realms of sophisticated, terrifying, sustained bullying."

Attackers are reported to film the assaults then pass the footage around by mobile phone.