Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I wish to support the previous speaker. It is important that we not make information technology or the Internet out to be the enemy in this regard. We must consider long and hard about the dangers to which young people are subjected through their families and family friends. We should not ignore that issue in the debate.

There is a danger that too much attention is given to tabloid headlines on Internet usage and the fact that young people are using Myspace and Bebo to meet new people and make new friends. This new social network is not wrong and should be welcomed because it is part of what a young person does today. We should be careful not to criticise it.

We must revisit some of the protection afforded young people and we should ensure the Stay Safe programme is available in every school and teachers, parents and young people are informed about what can happen. That said, we should be careful not to scapegoat new technology. We should ensure proper safeguards are in place and that children are protected when they are with their families, friends or family friends as well as in the context of emerging technologies.

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