ANYONE raised in a time, and in the circumstances, when doilies, fish knives, and the practice of men taking off their hats during a moment’s silence to honour someone who has recently died, were routine, would be appalled by some of the aggression shaping so many online conversations.

A national anti-bullying programme needs to be rolled out across the country according to a panel of experts behind Ireland’s first online resource to help those affected.

The strength of people power is to be harnessed to help identify and block subtle cyberbullying that can currently get through online filters.

Schools have a “heavy, almost oppressive culture” that encourages homophobia, a leading anti-bullying academic has said.