Sir, – I strongly support President Michael D Higgins' contention that social media has been turned by some people into "an instrument of abuse"("Violence and bullying rob people's dignity", March 12th) and as a result can rob many of their dignity.
While it may not be possible to curb it altogether we can certainly reduce the current prevalence. Clearly school communities, inclusive of parents have a responsibility to identify, prevent and deal with abusive and threatening online communication, and many do so in spades.
However, our social networking providers fall far short of their responsibility to ensure safer online communication. They should apply greater technical measures to detect and block undesirable content as well as shutting down accounts.
The print and broadcasting media can also do more by refraining from reporting on very personal and hurtful comments made by individuals about another or others.
During the election campaign, for example, I listened to and read very personal comments made by politicians, who ought to be mindful of leading by example, which were ugly, offensive, mean-minded and undoubtedly deeply offensive to the person concerned and their families. This not only rewards the offender by the publicity they are afforded but it also gives licence to our young people to behave likewise and sadly also undermines the good work of school communities in their efforts to have young people engage in respectful behaviour whether offline or online.
– Yours, etc,
MONA O’MOORE
National Anti-Bullying Unit,
Dublin City University,
Dublin 9.