The unaccountability of posting on social media websites has provided cowardly bullies the perfect platform to spread hate. Irish Senator Eamonn Coghlan proposed requiring a payment per post to stop cyberbullying as it continues to lead to disaster in young teens.
The freedom an individual has on facebook and other social media websites is starting to call for reform as cyber bullying related suicides cases are too often a topic of discussion. The trolls of the internet post with no fear of repercussions and no care for the human on the other end reading the words. The death or pain of any single child will never be worth allowing unfiltered posts and comments from worry free, faceless internet users.
Other people’s concerns are with the most social media company’s lack of systems to take down harmful posts. Websites like Facebook rely on only users to report the constant cyber abuse. Communication Minister, Pat Rabbitte, shares that concern and said, "They should be prepared in the host country to enter into sensible protocols about take-down policy."
Until these protocols exist some abusive posts will go unreported and therefore written in ink on victims pages.
Irish senator Eamonn Coghlan proposed paying money for each post or comment a person makes on social media websites. This would automatically cause the individual to think about their comment and question if its “worth” having other people see. There’s no doubt this strategy would work to an extent but such a major change in companies, with mostly friendly users, just doesn't seem fair or realistic. Facebook’s headquarters for Africa, Europe, and the Middle East are all in Dublin and would be subject to Coghlan’s proposal.
Coghlan had another idea dealing with prosecuting internet users who have broken the law. Most websites do not require more than an email address to be a member, giving internet bullies the opportunity to mask themselves with made up IP addresses. Coghlan’s second proposal would put an end to this by requiring users to attach a passport number to IP addresses. Most would second guess their posts knowing their identity and accountability are attached to every word typed.
As long as there’s people there will be bullying. So it’s up to government officials, like Eamonn Coghlan, to recognize ways to make bullying difficult and bullies accountable.
12 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seamus60 | Mar 12, 2013, 06:16 PM EDT
Is he and Martin Mc Guinness the only 2 politicians in Ireland who have a serious problem with social media and its ability to have information put in the public domain ?
Smyrnian | Mar 10, 2013, 08:12 AM EDT
Stupid idea.
jacersagain | Mar 09, 2013, 09:28 PM EST
What an incredibly stupid suggestion by an iggerant politician! Doesn’t he know I already pay for my freedom to express opinions on the internet through my phone bill??? - PS Searlit... you're as good and sensible as ever. Keep it up.
pilib04 | Mar 09, 2013, 08:53 PM EST
What do you expect from the fascists Blue Shirt Fine Gael Party?
anglo-norman | Mar 09, 2013, 05:44 PM EST
Coughlan is qualified as a politician cos why? he was a failed runner on the world stage.
Searlit | Mar 09, 2013, 03:34 PM EST
There's big brother (government invasion of privacy and mind control, etc.) then there is the collective consciousness of every soul on earth deciding on appropriate protections for vulnerable people. The internet isn't freedom, although it is a great resource for bringing people together. Don't confuse protections with bans.
merefalow | Mar 09, 2013, 01:48 PM EST
the internet is the last bastion of freedom,and they,the enemy of all mankind want to control it as they are controlling everything,the world media,free speech,surveilance cameras everywhere,orwells prophecy is a reality but most are to dumb to realise it.the internet is a platform where anything goes,not all good i agree but better than being controlled by big brother,wise up,appreciate it and value your freedom above all else because it is under deadly threat.
Pittsburghkid | Mar 09, 2013, 01:14 PM EST
Common sense is needed. If a girl takes a naughty picture, then she should realize that it may become public. I a boy lie about a girl, then she should ignore it. When she is confronted, then she should say don't believe every thing you read on the internet. More laws only abridge freedom.
Searlit | Mar 09, 2013, 12:54 PM EST
Good article. I don't agree with making people pay for posting, though. I think having controls on abusive posts would be good. Computers are capable of programming that allows word recognition. A knowlegeable techperson should be able to develop software that would automatically delete hate speech or abusive words.
FrPeteOFeely | Mar 09, 2013, 12:08 PM EST
If we could ban the hate speech and warmongering of our politicians, perhaps we could put a stop to these never-ending NATO wars of aggression to get control of the world's resources.
seanaci | Mar 09, 2013, 10:36 AM EST
Senator Eamonn Coghlan's proposed "cure" is typical of politicians everywhere kowtowing to their paymasters. Instead of doing their job and backing legislation that regulates at the core they instead indulge in collective punishment of those who are the least powerful in terms of dealing with problems. The same mindset is behind "austerity" measures in Europe and the demonizing of "entitlements" in the US. In this case Coghlan is touting another layer of widespread bullying of social media users by government instead of regulating the corporations profiting off social media activity.
Nicopernicus | Mar 09, 2013, 10:06 AM EST
I have an Idea...? Stay off social media if its a problem. there is a little switch called off which solves everything. More legislation and rules and laws to be put into action followed with a money trail for social nonsense,,,sticks and stones was a rule of thumb now we live in an era where preoccupation with someones pathetic social justice theory's decide what we say and how we say it based upon someones emotional state. what a pile of crap.