Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was anxious to co-sign this Bill because I have witnessed within my constituency the devastating consequences of online bullying. Social media is a relatively new phenomenon and is a very useful tool for communication and sharing information about events. However, it has been misused by some who are basically cowards. They assume an identity and post their bullying or defamatory remarks about someone without using their own name. A young man Eden Heaslip committed suicide just before Christmas. He was bullied at school. Bullying has always existed in schools and in the workplace but now it is relentless because people can be targeted in their homes. They get no break from it whatsoever. I have no doubt that it was a significant contributory factor to his death.

Social media platforms need to ensure that no one can make a comment without being identified. They need to introduce comprehensive measures to ensure that verification details are requested and that no one can establish a false online account.

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