Ms Tara Trevaskis Hoskin:

More than 1,000 people identified cyberbullying as a major issue for them and among young people. However, we wanted to find out more about this issue. As I am sure the committee will agree, it is quite difficult to find information on it and to understand the problems that come from this and how these could be solved.

We held cyberbullying consultations online and received a good response from people all over Wicklow. First, we conducted a survey online where people could make submissions. It was helpful as well to get a personal response because it could be anonymous. People were happy to share. More than 220 young people took part in that. Then we hosted some workshops around the county to discuss the results of the survey with people. This was really helpful as well. We conducted walk-in debates where people told us their opinions on it, which helped us gain a greater understanding of the issue. The overwhelming feedback was that we should develop a charter which speaks to all of the relevant people within the picture of cyberbullying. The message was that there was more information needed on cyberbullying and that it was not only to be told to those who are being cyberbullied or to cyberbullies. It is more important to include everyone who is involved. We started work on the charter then.

Through a serious amount of work within our comhairle and among us after we had gathered all the information, and supported by the steering group, we developed a cyberbullying charter, copies of which are available to the committee if the committee members want some. What makes it so powerful and unique in our view is that it carries messages to all of the stakeholders because we feel that we are all stakeholders when it comes to cyberbullying. We believe everyone has a part to play, from those who are bullied to bullies, to the bystanders, to those in authority and to all young people. If we really want this to change, everyone needs to be a part of the change.

It is our intention to share the charter poster within Wicklow and beyond, if there is interest. A good aspect of the charter is it is not specific to Wicklow. It can be shared nationwide, even universally, because it applies to all young people. We are really proud of it. It took a lot of work to put the charter together but we believe that it will help change people's perspective and maybe help open up the issue a bit more. We believe it will help reduce the prevalence of cyberbullying because more people will be involved in fixing the issue rather than merely putting it on one person or group.