Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This issue will primarily be impacted by young people's understanding, information and education and the potentially serious consequences of being involved.

I have been in touch with Facebook and have had discussions in the past with Google and other Internet service providers, including UPC, which I met the week before last. I discussed applications that can be made available to parents to support them. The questions of educating and providing information to parents and parental supervision of the online activities of children are very important. However, the circumstances we are discussing today also relate to adults. The Government's alcohol strategy, the discussions I have been having about cyberbullying and the national anti-bullying strategy are key elements in dealing with this issue.

A combination of information and education, as well as relying on the voluntary organisations, is important. The Internet service providers also have role to play and I have been impressed, having met them, by the safety initiatives they are taking, especially for those who are under 18. In terms of blaming social media for our ills, I do not believe censorship is the answer. Having said that, if there is any question of abusive or bullying videos being posted online, the providers have an absolute obligation to take them down and they have said that, in those circumstances, they will.

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