Social networking sites have a 'darker side' said Mrs James

Labour's Swansea East MP Sian James said while such sites could be positive they had a "darker side".

She said websites must do more to stop bullying and so-called "happy slapping" videos being published.

Minister Beverley Hughes agreed that cyber bullying could become this century's "scourge" of schools.

'Inadequate'

Mrs James pointed to the 17 apparent suicides in Bridgend, south Wales - although police have denied that there were any internet links between the deaths - and warned of the potential "tragic consequences".

She told MPs that websites must do more to stop humiliating or offensive footage being screened - and moderators should take action the minute it is uploaded.

"The moderation provided by the industry is clearly inadequate," she said

"Currently to only remove the footage of a violent assault in a school after a complaint is received is not acceptable. It is too late."

'Insidious'

She said government advice to schools was not sufficient and suggested a ban in schools on all mobile phones capable of taking photos and videos.

Minister Beverley Hughes said cyberbullying was "a particularly insidious form of bullying" because it was available 24 hours a day.

"That means bullying can continue 24/7 without respite or refuge, invisible to all but the victim and perpetrator."

But she said it was hard to monitor content before it got onto websites - because there was so much of it.

It would take 360 people, working 24 hours a day, to keep tabs on every video uploaded to the YouTube site, she said.

She doubted that a total ban on phones and blocks on websites would work and favoured a broad approach involving government, schools, business and young people.