Dolly’s law: cyber bully social media AVO ‘fine idea’

A CALL to ban cyber-bullies from social media, so they face the online equivalent of an AVO, is a fine idea and needs government support.

Cyber-bullies like to think there are no real-life consequences for their cowardly, usually anonymous, online attacks. Well, no consequences for themselves, that is.

Cyber-bullies positively ­delight in the very real anguish their online behaviour causes for victims — some of whom are even driven to self-harm and suicide.

But the bullies are wrong.

Amy "Dolly" Everett killed herself after being targeted by cyber-bullying.

More often than before they are being exposed and dealt with. And the consequences of their actions may become yet more severe, with a new plan that would see cyber-bullies banned from social media and facing the online equivalent of an Apprehended Violence Order.

This plan is proposed in a government submission from The Carly Ryan Foundation, a cyber-safety charity established following the death of 15-year-old Carly Ryan, tragically killed by a paedophile in 2007.

After Carly Ryan was killed by a pedophile, her mum set up a cyber-security charity

Written by Carly’s mother and foundation chief executive Sonya Ryan, the submission calls for police to be granted powers enabling them to ban cyber-bullies from social media for sustained periods of time.

“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.”

This is a fine idea. If there is one thing these abusers desperately crave it is access to social media. They are addicts, and in the worst possible way, because they feed their addiction not with cat videos or selfies, but toxic assaults on the innocent.

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Cyber-safety expert Ross Bark agrees that the plan has merit. “It would be useful to be able to ban offenders from Facebook, Instagram and social media, but it would be need to be coupled with education so they can learn the very real effect they are having on victims.”

“We don’t want to be handing out AVOs to children left, right and centre, so something that specifically deals with cyber-bullying could be helpful.”

His point about education is well made. Many, but not all, cyber-bullies are young. If exposed, their shame tends to shut down any future cyber-bullying tendencies. Caught once, your typical bully is very likely to not reoffend.

The government would be wise to give Sonya Ryan’s submission serious consideration.

Foxy ladies and lads parade

It’s noice, it’s different, it’s unusual. It’s Australia’s new Commonwealth Games uniform and, not to put too fine a point on it, there is just a little bit of Kath & Kim happening there.

The oddly retro green, yellow, grey and white costumes don’t exactly scream “look at moi”.

The new Commonwealth Games uniform take inspiration from Kath & Kim. Picture: Nigel Hallett

On the other hand, our team’s gear for the opening and closing ceremonies really hit the mark.

As Kim’s friend Sharon Strzelecki might put it, they definitely call for barbecue Shapes and a bottle of Baileys.

A taste of the country

Many of our state’s residents who live in thriving regions away from the coast often joke that NSW stands for “Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong”.

They have a point. Our coastal cities do tend to draw attention away from areas of NSW that deserve greater notice.

And now those rural and ­regional areas are receiving their due attention, thanks in part to abundant and high-­quality dining opportunities.

Sahara Daoud, 9, and her mum Vivian picking their own apples at Bilpin Fruit Bowl. Picture: Jonathan Ng

According to Tourism Research Australia analysis of the nine months from January to September last year, 1.8 million food tourists explored the state’s regional towns. Nearly half of those tourists came from Sydney.

Why travel so far in search of a feed? Because it’s worth it.  

“When it comes to food and wine, each NSW region exudes its own energy and personality,” NSW tourism minister Adam Marshall says.

“As a country minister it’s particularly exciting to see some of our state’s young, passionate producers driving the trend in food tourism.”

This weekend might be the perfect time to inspect the trend. Rural and regional NSW has an enormous amount to offer, and so much of it tastes delicious.