Attorney-General Kyam Maher proposes new laws to stop illegal, violent behaviour posted online

Taking to social media to show off the fruits of criminal behaviour could prove very costly under new laws floated by SA’s Attorney-General.

Criminal behaviour posted to social media including violence, weapons and destruction of property will be targeted under new proposed laws which would be “the most comprehensive in the nation”.

The trend of posting and boasting, where criminal activity is filmed and shared online, will be targeted with penalties of up to two years in prison under laws the government is set to consult on.

It comes after, in January this year, shocking videos of violence between South Australian schoolchildren emerged via an Instagram account encouraging students to engage in fights.

It featured more than a dozen incidents including some involving students from private and public schools engaging in threatening behaviour and brawls before being shut down.

The bill would also make it an offence for those who publish material relating to criminal acts regardless of whether they are involved in the behaviour itself.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher announced the government would begin consultation on the proposed post and boast laws. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the law “applies equally to adults and children”.

Similar laws have been introduced in NSW and Queensland which specifically target breaking and entering and illegal use of a motor vehicle.

“South Australia’s laws would be much broader, and that is violent offences against the person and property offences,” Mr Maher said.

“Particularly those offences like assaults, we see people involved in fights, then posting and boasting on social media, we want to make sure they’re captured (with the law).

“The laws that we’re putting out would be the most comprehensive in the nation.”

Young people seen posing with wads of cash on social media, which an SA crime victim believes was part of what was stolen from her.

Young people seen posing with wads of cash on social media, which an SA crime victim believes was part of what was stolen from her.

Defences for posting illegal behaviour would include to inform the public or in the course of carrying out law enforcement activities.

The Education Department and advocacy bodies for children and young people are set to be consulted on the proposed laws from Wednesday until early November.

The announcement comes during the week of the SA part of the government’s two-day social media summit which will begin in Sydney on October 10, with the event at the Adelaide Convention Centre the day after.

Among the speakers at the Adelaide event will be former Chief Justice of the High Court Robert French, who will discuss his report that outlines a legislative path to ban children under the age of 14 from accessing social media.

Originally published as Attorney-General Kyam Maher proposes new laws to stop illegal, violent behaviour posted online