Erin Molan: Ways and means to combat online attackers

I thought I knew the kind of people who threatened, ­abused and attacked others online— I genuinely thought most were losers in their mum’s basement. I had no idea, until now, writes Erin Molan.

Remember when most people used to say “just ignore it” when it came to online abuse? Those days are over. And if you are still a believer in that sentiment then you desperately need to watch my new documentary.

If you know that way of thinking is completely archaic and, to be honest, rubbish, then you also need to watch my new documentary.

If you have children and you want to keep them safe, then you most ­certainly need to watch my new ­documentary.

If you are a human being living in the world in 2022, then, yup you guessed it, you must watch my new documentary.

I thought I knew a lot about the online world. I thought I knew the types of people who threatened, ­abused and attacked others.

CYBER BULLYING: One in ten school aged children report being bullied online.

I genuinely thought a big chunk of them were 40-year-old losers in mum’s basement. I had NO idea. Until now. I’ve spent the past few months investigating one of the ­biggest issues this country faces.

That’s no exaggeration. Our children are subjected to some of the worst online hate in the world.

Generic photo - cyber bullying

When I went to school, bullying stopped as we walked out the gate. If you had a bad day you’d have 16 hours of respite before having to front up again. You had an escape.

Now it’s completely different. Our kids can be contacted 24/7, which means they can be hurt at anytime and ALL of the time.

As the victim of some of the worst abuse imaginable online, I know first hand the kind of impact this can have.

I’m an adult. I am strong. I have incredible support networks around me.

Erin Molan.

What I was subjected to over many years took me to some very dark ­places. I was ashamed of how badly it affected me. I was embarrassed that, at times, it became crippling. But then something happened. I decided to fight back. I’d had enough.

I unleashed and the response was overwhelming. Sickening. Inspiring. Terrifying. All at once.

One letter stuck with me and ­ensured I fought relentlessly for new laws, a crucial first step, which were introduced into Parliament last year.

A Year 3 teacher. He thanked me for speaking up.

He told me the first couple of hours a day of class weren’t spent studying maths or English but were needed to deal with the fallout of whatever had happened online the night before.

Distressed children who had been sent horrific content or abuse from other children or unknown adults. Year 3. It made me feel sick. If I had barely survived my ordeal, how could eight or nine-year-olds?

The fight to make the online world safer will be never ending.

Just as with anything technological, it will continue to advance and evolve. Parents need to understand how to protect their kids. It is complex and without the proper information the results can be devastating.

Complacency in the online space can kill.

I have dedicated much of my life over the past 10 years to try to ­understand this problem and then trying to fix it.

This documentary will be a very powerful tool in the continuation of that campaign. It’s raw and confronting – but it’s also inspiring.

For tips, advice and support or to report online abuse, visit esafety.gov.au

Lifeline 13 11 14 or ­lifeline.org.au, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Haters Online: Erin Molan Fights Back is coming soon on Sky News Australia. Its initial premiere date of September 13 has been postponed as part of program rescheduling around coverage of The Queen’s death.

Originally published as Erin Molan: Ways and means to combat online attackers