Crackdown on cyber bullying as “criminal offence” Cyber bullies should prepare to face the consequences of committing “a very serious criminal offence,” under new online safety legislation to be introduced by the Abbott Government by the end of the year. The Coalition will appoint a Children’s e-Safety Commissioner to ensure that people take online harassment seriously and are made aware “that it is unlawful,” Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said. “The Commissioner’s job will be to ensure that large social media sites – Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Twitter and so forth – that cyber-bullying material that targets children is quickly removed,” he said to an assembly at Strathfield Girls’ High School last week. Funding of $7.5 million will also be allocated to online safety programs in schools. Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Member for Reid Craig Laundy and Paul Fletcher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Communications Minister relive their school days Following “extensive discussions with the large social media sites,” the online safety proposal “has been carefully designed to be minimally disruptive of their business processes,” said Paul Fletcher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Communications Minister. “The Children’s e-Safety Commissioner will have the capacity to issue a notice against a bully – the person who has posted harmful material targeted at a child,” Mr. Fletcher said. “If there is no response to the notice, then the Children’s e-Safety commissioner will be able to refer that to police.” The office of the commissioner will work closely with the Australian Federal Police, state and territory police, internet providers, child protection organisations and schools. Mr. Turnbull said online bullying is “a serious offence” and repeat offenders “may find themselves in more hot water than they had bargained for.” “I think education and quick response is the critical thing,” he added. In a speech about the impact of cyber bullying, a Strathfield Girls’ High School student pointed out, “In this day and age… when we have more access than ever to one another’s personal lives, it’s important to keep in mind how the simple picture, message or post can affect us.” Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Strathfield Girls High School Another student expressed that, rather than telling bullies, “You shouldn’t say things like that,” a better method might be “to ask them why they feel that way, and why they think that way.”
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 14:35:21 +0000
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