Sites face €2bn fine in EU bid to combat bullying

Social media companies such as Facebook, Ask.fm, and Twitter could face fines of up to €2bn if they fail to adhere to proposed EU rules on tackling cyberbullying.

A conference in Limerick, chaired by MEP Sean Kelly, also heard parents and schools must be taught how to protect children.

One of the keynote speakers, Pat Forde, an anti- bullying campaigner, said he was shocked to discover children as young as eight are using social media and are being bullied by vastly older strangers.