Collective response required to tackle bullying – Carey

BULLYING is an issue that requires a collective societal response if it is to be tackled. That is according to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey, one of the most active online social media users in Dáil Éireann.

 

Deputy Carey said we should not distinguish between cyber and physical bullying as both are of equal distress. He also pointed to work being undertaken by agencies such as SpunOut to give parents and children information and tips if or when bullying occurs.

Deputy Carey said that Government can respond positively in this area and one avenue may be to look at tackling websites who allow users post anonymously, especially where children are concerned.

He also said an age verification system could be introduced for online social media, which are used frequently by under 18s.

Deputy Carey said, “While the digital revolution has made so many incredible improvements in our lives in the past decade, there are areas of concern particularly in relation to the tragedy of cyber bullying. In some cases, parents feel an information gap has developed between them and their children in relation to digital technologies and this is entirely understandable.

“We have heard of some tragic cases in recent weeks and months, where children have suffered terrible forms of abuse and bullying in online forums. Often, parents have been unaware that this was going on, or if they had an inclination, they felt powerless to stop it. There may be a case for looking at ways to eliminate anonymous online social media users, or to ensure forums where children are present, there is some verification system.

“As a society, we have a duty to provide each child with a safe and non-threatening environment to grow up in. There is a balance to be struck here between children’s rights to grow and develop and engage with new technologies and forms of communication and our remit as legislators and parents and guardians to ensure they can do this in as safe a way as possible. We must also balance this with the freedom of speech and thought, which the internet has helped flourish. We can never perhaps fully eliminate bullying from human behaviour but we can ensure there are very clear consequences if this does occur and that we pick up signals that may indicate it is happening.”

He outlined that the youth advocacy agency SpunOut has published some good tips for parents or anyone who may have experienced or witnessed cyber bullying:

These include:
Don’t reply to the messages.
Save the evidence (photo/email/video/web post and so on) as proof.
Tell a trusted adult, such as a close relative, a family friend, a teacher, health professional or a youth worker.
Contact a free confidential support service such as Samaritans – telephone 1850 609090.
Report the bullying to the gardaí
Report the bullying to the technology providers such as the mobile phone company, web host or website owner.
If you are a person who is being bullied, it is important not to keep it to yourself. Tell a friend, your parents, a teacher or someone who will be able to help you and give you support.

More information is available on www.spunout.ie and also there is a series on bullying, Bullyproof, presented by Clare’s David Coleman on RTÉ.