Editorial: Government takes first step to combat bullying of children and now social media giants must follow

The Premier and her Government are to be commended for their commitment to tackling the issue of child bullying seriously and swiftly, and the giants of cyberspace should follow, writes THE EDITOR

It is high time the giants of cyberspace recognised their social responsibility.

BULLYING of children is a scourge, the scale and severity of which must not be underestimated.

The fear and misery it causes blights what should be the most innocent and carefree years of thousands of young lives.

Amy “Dolly” Everett took her own life at age 14, after relentless cyberbullying.

At worst, it can be deadly, as in the desperately tragic case of Amy “Dolly” Everett, the 14-year-old girl driven to take her own life by relentless bullying while at boarding school.

It was after a meeting with Dolly’s devastated but determined parents, Tick and Kate Everett, that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk moved quickly to address the problem. An Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce, chaired by author and journalist Madonna King, was established.

The Premier and her Government are to be commended for their commitment to tackling this issue seriously and swiftly.

It is understood Ms Palaszczuk will announce that she has accepted all 29 Taskforce recommendations in full or in principle.

The key is an overhaul of the processes used by schools in handling bullying towards, and by, students.

It is no secret that a mishmash of policies, procedures and systems among schools has added confusion and frustration to a time of great trauma and anguish for too many families in the past. Left in the dark as complaints dragged on, they can feel unheard and unsupported.

The Taskforce aims to rectify that by requiring schools to have clear processes for dealing with bullying matters – spelling out how the complaint will be handled, by whom, and over what time frame, and detailing potential punishment for those responsible.

A meeting with Dolly Everett’s parents Kate and Tick Everett motivated Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to establish the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce. Picture: Channel 9

Families will have contact details for the staff member managing the matter, as well as advice on how to appeal or escalate a complaint.

This will send a clear message that the bullying is treated seriously.

Cyber-bullying has added an insidious new layer and several of the recommendations target the giant social media companies, seeking their involvement in developing algorithms to detect and respond to online victimisation, as well as fund awareness campaigns.

The intention is worthy but, we fear, futile. These tech titans have consistently demonstrated a disgraceful “no care, no responsibility” attitude towards a number of issues, from accessibility to pornography, terrorist propaganda and cyber-bullying.

It is high time the giants of cyberspace finally recognise their social responsibility and act accordingly.

RAW HONESTY ANOTHER REASON TO RESPECT JT

JOHNATHAN Thurston is one of the most respected people in Australia today.

Revered not only for his sporting prowess but also for his standing as man – an ambassador and advocate for indigenous health, education and employment.

Johnathan Thurston has again proved he is truly outstanding, choosing not to sidestep parts of his life which he is not proud of. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

But JT is also human and, like the rest of us, has made mistakes in life.

In his new autobiography, he writes about his time as a teenage delinquent – a petty thief who looked to be headed down a path of crime before his love of rugby league showed him an alternative route. It’s a period he is not proud of and one he could easily have airbrushed from the official record of what has become an illustrious career.

But it is typical of Thurston that he has chosen to talk about that chapter honestly, not because it benefits him but because it might help today’s lost youth.

It may not be footy, but JT shows them that by finding a focus and putting their attention and energy into something they love, there is a better way forward.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Kelvin Healey, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at couriermail.com.au