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Internet Safety

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2017

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Questions (87)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ongoing efforts by her Department to counteract internet bullying in respect of children and young adults outside of an educational environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7443/17]

View answer

Written answers

In September 2016, the Law Reform Commission published its Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety. While noting the positive benefits to society of the interconnected digital world in which we live, the report also noted the negative aspects and the emerging trend to engage in online communications that cause significant harm to others. The key recommendations of the report are that:

- The existing offence of sending threatening or indecent messages should be extended to apply to all online communications.

- The offence of harassment should be extended to include all forms of communication, including online or digital communications.

- A specific offence of stalking should be created.

- A new offence should be created of non-consensual distribution of intimate images with intent to cause harm or distress (generally referred to as “revenge pornography”).

- A new offence should be created to address the taking and distribution of intimate images without consent, whether or not there is intent to cause harm or distress.

In December 2016, the Government gave its approval for the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill which would provide for new and amended criminal offences along the lines set out in that report. This Bill will address the criminal law aspects of the Law Reform Commission’s report. The Commission has proposed extending some existing offences and creating some new criminal offences.

The precise formulation of the offences will be subject to review and potential variation during the drafting of the General Scheme.

By way of providing the public with tools to deal with the ever evolving world of online communications, the Office for Internet Safety in my Department has a booklet aimed at parents and dealing specifically with the issue of cyberbullying. The booklet gives information on such matters as prevention and key advice for children, young people and parents. These information resources are made available free of charge on the Office for Internet Safety website as well as in hard copy on request.

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