Paul Routledge says: At the back of my mind is a natural unease about where this is all going, because we have no control over the activities of those who wish to harm us

Many lucky people got a smartphone or a tablet or some such electronic gizmo for Christmas. It is the choice of the text Santa age.

The givers of these presents believe they were doing their friends or family a favour. The recipients certainly think so.

But, as the old proverb says, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

These little magic machines can be a greater source of evil than they are of good.

Consider the facts. Barely a week goes by without reports of a girl killing herself because of cyber-bullying.

Chelsea Clark, 13, of Wolverhampton, hanged herself in her bedroom.

Her mother blamed websites that target the young and vulnerable.

Izzy Dix, 14, of Brixham, Devon, also hanged herself, after being chiselled away by cruel remarks. She wrote a moving poem, I Give Up, on her mobile phone.

The lethal side of social media is not confined to the young.

Originally posted here:

The age of the smartphone - but I fear the internet revolution will devour its children