Mobile firms must help stop bullying, Dáil told

Mobile phone operators must use existing technology to stamp out bullying, the Dáil heard today.

Fine Gael TD Noel Coonan told Communications Minister Eamon Ryan that sim cards can be modified to stop indecent or offensive images being sent to handsets.

However Mr Ryan said he had no ministerial responsibility in the area and said instances of mobile phone bullying should be referred to the Gardaí.

Tipperary North TD Mr Coonan said the anti-bullying technology was simple to install and urgently required.

“The time has come when you must take action and call in the operators and ensure that the technology that is available is implemented in this country that will put an end to the tremendous and growing problem that bullying is in this country at this time,” he said.

Mr Ryan said he was very conscious that bullying in any form can be distressing, especially for children.

He told the Dáil the Irish Cellular Industry Federation has published a parents’ guide to mobile phones with safety tips for their responsible use.

“The supervisory role of parents is key to safeguarding their children from the dangers of abuse of communications technology,” Mr Ryan explained.

The minister said criminal legislation is currently in place to outlaw the sending of indecent or offensive material via mobile phones.

Mr Coonan cited a recent survey by Barnardos which said 82% of parents were concerned about bullying while two in five children said they were personally affected or knew somebody who was affected by the issue.

He urged the minister not to ’walk away’ from the responsibility on the matter and to publish an up to date anti-bullying guidelines for the communications industry.

But Mr Ryan told the Dáil: “I absolutely believe that this is a serious issue and seeing as it is a criminal activity, the gardai are the ones who are actually responsible.”