New rules to make cyberbullying an offence

Online abuse is to be made an offence under new rules brought out according to Labour TD Willie Penrose.

Speaking as a report on internet safety report was published by an expert group established by Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte, Penrose said that while online bullying and harassment are relatively new phenomena, they can cause anguish and severe distress for innocent young people.

“This report sets out clear, practical steps to deal with cyberbullying. Crucially, it addresses an anomaly which exempted online abuse from the law dealing with threatening, indecent or offensive messages.

“Now, sending abuse by ‘electronic communications’, or cyberbullying, will be included as an offence under the law.

“To ensure greater safety online for children in public areas, a new family-friendly logo will be developed, that lets users know a public wi-fi access point is filtering adult content.

“At government level, a new National Council for Child Internet Safety will ensure that the issue of online abuse is not allowed to fall off the radar.

“This report will now go to government, and Minister Rabbitte has made it clear that he is determined to act on its recommendations, which will make for a safer environment for young people online.”