PUPILS need more protection against cyber' bullying, teaching unions have warned.

Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, is concerned about the growth in offensive material available to pupils and teachers online.

They say a rise in file- sharing and social networking sites including Facebook and Bebo has led to a huge increase in online bullying.

The union is calling on website operators to impose greater self-regulation of sites.

Some schools have already taken steps to combat cyber and text bullying by limiting access to certain internet sites and enforcing strict policies on mobile phone and camera use during the school day.

Education bosses at North Lanarkshire Council has warned it may take legal action against website providers who post anything offensive about teachers or pupils.

Headteachers have been asked to monitor sites and report humiliating material relating to their school.

EIS General Secretary Ronnie Smith said: "Inappropriate or offensive material posted on a website can have a devastating effect on a pupil or teacher.

"It is now time for the operators of websites to accept greater responsibility for the types of material that they allow to be posted on their sites."

Earlier this year a 14-year-old girl was the victim of a savage happy slapping' attack as she walked home from Rosehall High School in Coatbridge.

A 60second video of the assault was put on the internet.