Joe Behan - Independent Councillor - Wicklow County Council

Statement on Cyberbullying
1st September 2016

I would like to pay tribute to Comhairle na nÓg for their excellent work in highlighting the growing problem of cyberbullying in our county.

The finding that 60% of young people who were asked knew of someone who had been cyberbullied in the past 2 years is truly shocking.

This bears out what youth leaders, teachers and parents have been saying; that cyberbullying is growing at an alarming rate. It is the main drawback in the overwhelming increase in the use of technology in our lives and unfortunately it is one of the most deadly dangers to the mental health of our young people.

The anonymity of cyberspace allows merciless bullying of young people at a time in their lives when they are dealing with so many challenges - in school, with family, friends etc.. It is essential that society works together to combat this problem by increasing awareness of the dangers of this activity and provide meaningful support for the victims.

I have raised this issue at recent meetings of the County Wicklow Policing Committee as I believe firmly that the involvement of the Gardai in locating cyberbullies and bringing them to justice is an important part of the campaign to stamp it out. In this regard, I would encourage victims and their families to report cyberbullying to the Gardai at an early stage rather than suffering in silence.

Cllr. Joe Behan
Independent