Howlin calls for legislation on cyberbullying

THERE is growing evidence of a strong link between cyberbullying and the online harassment of young people and those young people indulging in self-harm and even suicide, Labour leader Brendan Howlin told the Dáil. Ireland’s teenage suicide rate is already among the highest in Europe, he said.

‘Tragically, recent Central Statistics Office figures show that 20 to 30 young people die by suicide annually in Ireland,’ he said.

‘On 16 May, 2017, the Labour Party’s Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 was passed on Second Stage in this House. In a debate with cross-party support the Government pledged full co-operation to bring legislation through the House to regulate the area of online harassment and bullying. Since May last year dozens more young people have tragically lost their lives by suicide. Too often they were the victims of online bullying and harassment and many more are suffering today. The legislation is urgently required.’

In response Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Minister for Justice and Equality informed him me that his Department is in regular contact with the Deputy’s office about the Bill with the view to moving matters on.

‘We certainly want to do that as quickly as we possibly can,’ he said. ‘When it comes to the internet and the worldwide web, what I can say is that the era of self-regulation is over. Self-regulation has not worked for the internet and the tech sector, and we need now to do more. We need to make sure that whatever regulatory moves we make and whatever we put into place actually works and is effective.’