by Alan Jacques
LIMERICK TD Patrick O’Donovan believes Ireland should give “serious consideration” to the new legislation being adopted in New Zealand to combat cyber-bullying and creating a new offence of ‘incitement to commit suicide’.
Under the New Zealand proposals, cyber-bullies could face up to three years in prison or significant fines. The legislation is being brought forward by the New Zealand Justice Minister, Judith Collins, in a bid to crack down on bullying via social networking, email, mobile phones and websites.
“The issue of cyber-bullying has received considerable attention here over the last year or so, due in no small part to the tragic deaths by suicide of several young people and teenagers. This, of course, isn’t just an Irish problem, it’s an international one, and I think the new law being adopted in New Zealand should be given serious consideration here,” said Deputy O’Donovan.
The Limerick TD and member of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, has now called on the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, to consider the new legislation that is being adopted in New Zealand to combat cyber-bullying.
“The Committee completed a report on cyber-bullying earlier this year, and I believe we must continue to pursue the matter. As more and more of our interactions take place online, we must look at ways to protect young people in particular from harassment and abuse,” he concluded.
