New bill proposes to jail cyber bullies

Cyberbullies would face up to 12 months in jail under a crackdown proposed by a senator who has been subjected to a spate of social media abuses.

Labour’s Lorraine Higgins has published a bill intended to target trolls who attack people online. Sharing a message that incites someone to take their own life or self harm would be an offence under the proposed legislation.

Ms Higgins has made gardaí aware of two death threats she has received online, and other messages threatening family members. Penalties would also include a fine of up to €5,000. Ms Higgins said service providers needed to do more, and expressed concern that Facebook never replied to her regarding a complaint she made.