Opinion: It’s time to get tough on online bullying
WE need to call time on cyber bullying.
Online bullying and abusive behaviour is an issue that’s becoming more and more prevalent in society. Never has it been easier to access and abuse people through online social mediums. We see time and time again the effects of cyber bullying on our young people, and we are not doing anything to combat it.
There are essentially no laws governing online abuse; protections are available under the Non Fatal Offences against the State Act, but the amount of prosecutions under this Act are minimal.
This week I was delighted to support a motion from my Council Colleague Sinead Shepperd on the need for the Government to establish a taskforce to look at existing legislation dealing with the law on online bullying and abusive behaviour towards others on social media platforms, and bring forward new legislation that would give sufficient powers to a regulatory authority to punish online abuse.
COVID-19 and lockdown has meant that we have been spending more time than ever on social-media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook these past few weeks and months. Whilst they provide a useful way of staying in touch, they also provide a forum which allows nameless cowards to hurl abuse and derogatory commentary at unwitting victims.
Online bullying can damage a person’s good name and career, yet no-one is held acountable for their actions. In some cases constant online harassment has caused severe mental health issues, depression and even suicide.
It’s a problem that can effect those of all ages; like all public representatives, I have received my fair share of online abuse.
Insults and the occasional death threat from often-nameless people online has become accepted as part and parcel of our daily lives. We seldom question it or condemn this behaviour. Whilst there is an onus on the Government to pass effective legislation in this area, there is an onus on us as a society to take personal responsibility for our actions online and to longer tolerate online harassment as ‘ the norm’.
The Law Reform Commissions published a report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety in 2016, which has yet to be enforced. The report recommended the establishment of new criminal offences and a powerful oversight agency to combat online abuse, such as cyberbullying and revenge porn. The commission has said that, given so many internet corporations have headquarters in Ireland, their legislation, if enacted, would have a ‘ huge influence’ on social media worldwide.
“Digital communications have the capacity to be instant, numerous, reach large even global audiences, be permanently available and are frequently anonymous in nature,” said the report. “Harassment by digital or online means can also have an inescapable quality as the victim can be targeted any time and anywhere because of the ubiquity of internet-connected devices such as smartphones.”
The ‘Harassment and Harmful Communications Bill’, which proposed the findings of the Law Commission Report, commenced in the Dail in 2017. However, this bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil earlier this year. The Government needs to recommence this legislation as soon as possible and provide effective ways to sanction online bullying and harassment.