Paul Fletcher warns on dangers of cyber abuse

A federal minister has acknowledged the serious consequences of online trolling following the ­tragic death of Wilson Gavin.

Cyber Safety Minister Paul Fletcher. Picture: AAP

Federal Cyber Safety Minister Paul Fletcher acknowledged the serious consequences of abusive online trolling following the ­tragic death of 21-year-old Brisbane man Wilson Gavin, and said the government was moving towards a new regime on adult cyber abuse.

Mr Fletcher expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Wilson Gavin, who died on Monday after being involved in a protest over a library event on Sunday in which drag artists were reading to children.

Police said there were no ­suspicious circumstances.

Mr Gavin and his fellow protesters were widely criticised on social media after being filmed chanting “Drag queens are not for kids”. Mr Gavin was a conservative student activist and openly gay, and some of the ­social media comments were abusive and violent in nature.

“I was very sorry to see the sad news of the death of Wilson Gavin, reportedly after receiving abusive messages online, and I express my sympathy to his family and friends,” Mr Fletcher told The Australian.

“Sadly, online abuse can have very serious consequences.”

Mr Gavin’s death by suicide has prompted a reflection about the standard of discourse on social media, and the impact of ­aggressive and abusive posts.

Executive director of activist group Change.org Sally Rugg posted on Twitter that she didn’t know why Mr Gavin campaigned against same-sex marriage.

“I don't know why he was so angry at a drag queen. I don't know why he took his life. But I wish he was still here so he could have found us all. We would love him and forgive him. We do love him and forgive him.”

This drew positive and negative comments from both sides of the debate. Commentator Jane Caro wrote “Yes. This resonates with me. I will try to remember (no doubt I will often fail) that the nastier they are, the more pain they are in.”

One person wrote: “Social media has put back mankind 10 years. Be kind to people even if you don’t agree with them.”

Others were less forgiving. “I wonder if Wilson Gavin or the others in that disgraceful protest thought of the potential impact their bullying tactics could have had? The outcome could have quite easily been reversed,” one tweet said.

Another person asked why people were feeling sorry for someone who aligned themselves with bullies and “yelled at kids and drag queens”.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide call Lifeline
(13 11 14), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).