The government has made little or no progress in tackling online abuse, child sexual exploitation, harassment and intimidation despite numerous investigations, an Oireachtas committee has been told.

The responses of social networking sites to bullying or other damaging online material about children needs to be improved, a key internet safety adviser to the Government and the EU has said.

Online abuse and harassment will be made an offence under laws to crack down on bullying and harassment.

The Government today launched a report on internet safety containing 30 recommendations on online harassment and illegal content.