Websites increase 'cyber bullying'
Sites such as Facebook and YouTube are increasing the chances of cyber bullying of young people on the web, it has been claimed.
Fine Gael justice spokesman Charles Flanagan said the issue is posing a real risk to children and causing angst and trauma in many families. The TD called for the Government to adopt international best practice procedures to become more pro-active in combating the problem.
The new Office of Internet Safety (OIS) in the Department of Justice currently monitors the self-regulation of service providers within the industry. The OIS is due to publish an information guide on cyber bullying next month.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace and video sharing sites like YouTube "have brought a new dimension to cyber bullying".
Tyrone Times