Cyber-bullies could be banned from Facebook under proposals to stop online trolls
POLICE would be able to ban cyber-bullies from Facebook and Instagram, under proposals to protect young Australians from online harassment.
POLICE would be able to ban cyber-bullies from Facebook and Instagram, under proposals to protect young Australians from online harassment.
Personal Protection Orders similar to the court orders used in domestic violence cases would also be used against online bullies, under a range of measures the Carly Ryan Foundation wants federal Parliament to consider.
A Senate inquiry is investigating the adequacy of laws against cyber-bullying after Adelaide teenager Libby Bell took her own life in August following what her family said was a campaign of online bullying and physical abuse by Libby's peers.
Carly Ryan Foundation founder Sonya Ryan said there should be clear consequences for serious cyber-bullying.
One option was for police to issue infringement notices which banned offenders from contacting a victim or using social media platforms.
Offenders could also be required to undertake education programs.
Breaching the conditions of a notice would result in adult and juvenile offenders being charged. “The current problem is so many resources are used to mediate young people without formal consequences,’’ Ms Ryan said.
“Something like this would put youth on notice and give them the opportunity to do the right thing.’’
Another option was to empower the courts to issue protection orders which were similar to the orders made to protect victims of domestic violence.
A new cyber-bullying charge could also be introduced which resulted in perpetrators being banned from contacting their victims or using social media.
Ms Ryan said she didn’t want young people who engaged in the least-serious levels of cyber-bullying to be treated as criminals but they should still be held accountable for their actions.
The Carly Ryan Foundation is named after Ms Ryan’s daughter, who was murdered by a man she met online.
The South Australian Government is planning to put all public school teachers through training to identify and respond to bullying, including cyber-bullying.
In a submission to the Senate inquiry, the State Government said there was “capacity” for intervention orders issued by police or magistrates to be used to prevent cyber-bullying.
Cyber-bullying complaints increased by 63 per cent between 2015-16 and 2016-17.
If you need help with cyberbullying, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800