An excuse to control social media, wouldn’t they love it!

She was also calling for violent video games to be banned to protect children, despite the fact that that they are already age rated and children shouldn’t be playing them..

Methinks a lack of understanding of the medium is the root of this ill advised comment. I certainly hope that their “experts” are a little more clued in..

FF s property bubble bursting is responsible for more suicides than social media, likewise bailing out European banks and imposing an austerity policy on struggling citizens has led to many suicides. Isn’t she the idiot that drove her car down the steps of the Dail?

Bring back questions and answers on rte where the politicians wrote both question and answer!

Very true. There is defiantly some bullying taking place in the Dáil. I wonder will the government legislate for that.

Social Media and the Virtual Reality of the Irish Political Class: No 1 http://t.co/Aw7xYJrC

Just like it’s their responsibility to stop their child smoking? Drinking? Spot when their child feels like killing themselves?

Some parents out there are no parents at all. What do we do for their kids?

I do agree it is up to parents to teach their children how to behave on line but I’ve seen first hand that many adults are involved in cyberbullying. Sitting at a screen you can’t see the effect your words can have. Think before you type.

It’s also a parent’s responsibility to ensure their 16 year old is not out drinking, being drunk & disorderly & assaulting people as well as having respect for themselves & others.

Not directly aimed at the parents of #kpmggirl, but, if the manolo blahniks
fit…

I do not condone bullying.
However at the moment the Government seems to be biggest bully in the room.
Punishing the victims whist rewarding the culprits.

Look at the the government attacks, on the general public via their online PR and media.

Tell me am I missing something?

I know what you are saying Colm.

Some kids go in to school with no breakfast or lunch or lunch money these days.

Blaming the parent’s still doesn’t feed these poor kids.

bullying needs to be tackled but i fear the government will use this issue to try and silence their critics. Social media can be a powerful way of letting the government know their thought on issues that effect them. keeping children safe is paramount but so is freedom of speech.

The way politicians refer to “social media” as a problem, just highlights their lack of understanding of the subject. Social media is people, … People are the problem, not social media.

TDs decisions have also led to suicides. Kids shouldnt be on social media sites anyway. And political correctness is getting out of hand, if i call 1 of the lads a faggit its not necessarily cause i think he likes penis in his anus. The whole worlds gone mad n its gotten quite sad

If a minister wasn’t a victim, this subject wouldn’t have been on the table

Why would you call anyone any abusive name?

Katie, you are so correct about censorship on the Internet.

No your correct
Just like when Bertie told the citizens to go kill themselves

Yes you are, you are missing the point altogether

.. and trying to get in a cheap anti government dig in a completely unconnected story is pathetic

Colm, make no mistake. This is not about children. This is about politicians.

Fair point

Well by that logic, shouldn’t everyone ‘know’ to ignore bullying?

@dermot if that was the case why is it not being reported. perhaps its because cyberbullying is the buzz word at the moment.

now if they want to police what people say we can sit back and enjoy what anonomus will conjour for our government.

Adults know to ignore cyber bulling we have the wisdom to know these people are fools ignore them. It teenagers that have to be monitored by parents it’s a hard job but it worth it, I spoke to my parents about everything if I was being bullied I would tell them, I don’t see why kids aren’t doing that or are they and the authorities are doing nothing about it ?

Well said!
For the government to even be discussing these hypothetical regulations while ignoring the larger issue – which is bullying, is futile. They don’t understand the medium if they are stating these intentions.

Personally I feel it is born from a culture where everyone is striving to be THE best. For those who feel that perhaps they cannot compete on a certain level they feel that they must put others down to make themselves feel better. It comes from never feeling good enough to just BE.
Our culture focuses on very narrow ideals, ones realistically unobtainable to most. It’s not pleasant to feel as though you aren’t “good enough” – and depending on the person they may resign themselves to that (the victim) or they may become angry and resentful of it (the bully). The bully lashes out from a place of feeling inferior, which funnily enough is what they make their victim feel. Of course there’s a minority who are doing it because they are psychopaths and the jury is out on whether or not they *can* be helped, but perhaps it would be better to try and help kids (and adults) to find and focus on whatever it is that they ARE good at, instead of focusing on such narrow parameters as academia, sport, looks or wealth?

In fairness, this isn’t the place for tit-for-tat.

Besides, hasn’t there been a few developer suicides as well some time back?

they are only acting now because one of their own was cyber bullied and killed himself

The government seem to think political bullying is acceptable as well.
Of late a huge amount of “poacher turned gamekeeper” are jumping up and down shouting bully at every opportunity.

Cyber bullying AND the crisis are some of the many reasons people are taking their lives in Ireland. Highlighting one such reason shouldn’t imply that the others aren’t as important. Very cynical to suggest that.

@mike- exercising democratic mandate- is that what you mean by political bullying?

Well I’m a very cynical person Dave, no thanks to the fools running this circus act!

I suspect however that I’m correct anyway.

Creamy
What a modest man. You’re much more than just a cynic in respect of what you call the ” fools ” that run the country. You are an out and out bully. No colour and no tinge you’re just a straight forward bully. I wonder if you have kids and if they ever have the misfortune to come across your Posts . Would they be damaged and would you care. Why not just treat Politicians of as human beings and criticise them if necessary but don’t set out to damage them.

As I posted.. It didn’t take long for the trolls to crawl out from under their rocks and start shouting “bully”
Pot,kettle,black !

Michael,

No kids, can’t afford them. You think I’m a bully because I call a spade a spade?

I’m a realist, and sorry..but I don’t pussyfoot around certain issues like some of you.

David, Vincent & Michael J. Can you remind me of the “mandate” Enda and Eamon ran on to get into government?

@Kerry- you secure a mandate, you don’t run on one. But I digress. The platform this Government ran on was to secure a better deal for Ireland in Europe, to restore national sovereignty and stabilise the economy. So far so good, so. I’m pretty sure this threat is about cyber bullying and mental health, though.

- you secure a mandate, you don’t run on one. Really?? Laughing out loud Vincent you should really listen to Enda “we have a mandate” before commenting.

@Kerry….Yes, Kerry. Enda Kenny secured a mandate at the last election. So the Taoiseach can say that. You can’t “run on” a mandate before you’ve been elected. It has to be given to you. This is very simple stuff. Perhaps I could explain it through the wonder of modern interpretive dance? Would that make it easier for you?

Or sock puppets?

Well said!

Vincent you like Enda and sock puppets? Laughing again. Enda has no mandate for what he is doing. Lied during the election champaign refused to debate his ideas or solutions on national TV. Failed teacher and a failed leader on his 200k.

@Kerry- and interpretive dance, apparently. Enda Kenny was elected Taoiseach by the democratically elected TD’s of Dáil Éireann in accordance with Bunreacht na hEireann. So yes. Enda Kenny has a mandate.

So Vincent what ‘mandate’ was Enda elected on? Time for you to explain that please.

Damage???
If politicians where any use this debate would not be happening
It’s the let THEM eat policy that has people up in arms u dim whit

Does that really make a difference? At least if there are new laws to protect people then the recent suicide deaths are not in vain. Minister McEntee may have been “one of them” that doesn’t make him different to any other human being. His family and friends are still grieving as much as anyone else’s family. Also slight hypocritical comments here (not aimed at you Chris) you talk about bullying and then the replies to someone’s opinion if different from the majority can be nasty. A lot of things said on websites like this in a condescending way. Practice what you preach and be nice to everyone and allow them to have their opinions before getting so self righteous.

When these politicians start doing their jobs and treating the people of Ireland like human beings than we will show them respect. Respect has to be earned lies traitors and people who go after the most vulnerable in society are not human beings their parasites.

Ends has a mandate from a small percentage of the population that voted for him, doesn’t make him right , and doesn’t free him from fair comment, FG hacks shut up unless you have something to add to the debate

very well put. this is the real issue here and it is really sad that tragedies of suicide have been hijacked for an agenda which many politicians would like to push… that is regulation, control and censorship of public opinion. so often in the media internationally we hear in reference to a particular country, eg., ‘Ireland’ has done this or that, when it really means that governments have decided this and that.. ‘us and them’ becomes much more real when large parts of the public are suffering because of decisions they had no say in. “not in our name”…….
this social media thing has given too many people a voice and you would think this is good for democracy… but no.. it’s a bit too much democracy…. giving voice to the plebs… gets in the way of best laid plans (and we know what happens them anyway).

@Mark, same as that, you speak for me also. The ‘whip’ is well named especially in this country where the traditions of keeping people in line has nothing to do with reasoned logical argument and more to do with threatening bullying control. This is no more a Republic than Zimbabwe.

Hi Christine Bohan,

A comment of mine seems to have disappeared? If you’ve removed it, would you be good enough to remove this post and my comment above. Thanks

It’d be good for employment.

Very good points there and I 100% agree with you Gerry but the “party trools” will be attacking you soon.
Pay as much attention to their psycoligical bullying as you would to a coat of paint drying.

Very quite on the party trolling tonight. I wonder if my commemt about seen new twitter accounts only recently been created and only commenting on articles where people attack the goverment scared the propaganda trolls away in fear of government been caught trying to censor.

Gerry, Enda is on 200k plus expenses, his ministers are on a slightly lower salary they have no idea what it is like for most Irish citizens.

@ DB.
The party trolls are in serious danger of being traced via their proxys and url’s.
They are tripping themselves up by practicing the exact thing they accuse others of.
I can forsee a legal battle that will be against the party and the individual . See how quick the party drops them then .
The trolls seem to forget that everything can be traced no matter how hard they try to hide it .

@DB- it refreshing in these times when many people feel so insecure your sense of self importance remains undiminished. Kudos.

@Mike- stop watching “Enemy of The State”. You’re getting confused.

@ Vincent.
We’ll see !.
(happy new year to you and yours)

@mike- and to you, Sir

Quite the opportunist, aren’t you? The economic collapse of the Republic has led to many suicides. Don’t confuse the medicine with the underlying ailment.

Slap stick you got this one right this goverment should go now resign kenny and take your bunch of corrupties with you.

She’s a Celtic child victim. Spoilt.

In fairness, her mother should have shown her the underside of the wooden spoon when younger.

Ok. Have to ask. Who is KPMG girl?

Google it. It’ll be on dailymotion or livewire or ebaumsworld.

Holy moley

Yes…

Yes she is a victime. What she did was extremely silly and makes her unlikeable but ultimately what has happened to her since is cyberbullying. I wonder if this girl committed suicide would you all be so smug in your criticism of her?

Its easy to be against cyberbullying when its people you like but when its somebody who comes across as unlikeable then she’s fair game apparantly. Nice to live in a double standard world.

Im not condoning the abuse she got. But these things happen. She was abusing people of lower socio-economic standard than her cause she was born into privilege. You can hardly not expect some backlash with those statements in a time when people in those situations are starving and can barely afford food. She’s the Irish Jessie Slaughter.

KPMG girl is no victim, it is hilarious to watch, trust daddy doesn’t have to explain the need for moderation any more, or not to argue with people more intelligent than yourself

Watched it!!! And while the young girl is saying silly things thats im sure if she was not under influence she would not say…..the guy taking the video for me should be arrrested…there was nothing innocent about his motives…which is quite clear from what he was trying to video at the start….
Its not on for me… and people who posted it or gave it legs should no better…. The Minister is 100% correct on this but im sure she will get very little support on this forum..

Risteard…Guy making clip…started by trying to look at a part of the girls body and outfit he has no right to look at… thats pretty evident… If a guy tried to take a video of my wifes underwear i would react in a different way… So if she reacted in a nasty fashion…under the circumstances…i can understand…

Declan arrest the guy, come on , you can’t arrest someone for being a smart arse, agree he was winding the girl up, but she owns her own behaviour in response,

It’s hard to feel any sympathy for such a spoiled materialistic foul mouthed brat!

The only thing is, we’ve all done things at 2 in the morning that was out of character or about which we’d be mortified if it was broadcast to half the country. No doubt not this girls finest hour- I’m not sure she deserves to be humiliated in front of the whole nation. Casting the first stone & all that….

Both what she did and the vitriol that has been targetted at are unacceptable. However there seems to be a rather dislikeable amout of glee taking in what’s happened to this girl simply because she comes across as spoilt or priviliged. Are we saying that the background of the person who is bullied should be taken into account now?

17 Jim not 6, get real,

That’s a brilliant observation. I was only mulling over the lack of physical research and abundance of internet browsing which seems to be done by online printed news sources.

Stick on a pint of Guinness there for me Richard, I’ll be in in 5mins. cheers

Hi Con,I put on that pint but you never arrived. Don’t worry I gave it to one of the lads

Ciaran Morgan
They must have been told to lay low tonight ..They are a disgrace to be allowed to continue post here. They use multiple identities and their comments and questions are dispicable. I imagine they get a form of payment from their puppet masters too. And they come on here in swarms… Criticise valid arguements , Upset ordinary decent commentators and just ruin the line of sensible debate.

Even the trolls have a view point, lets not get carried away with trying to censor them

I stupidly that video on my Facebook page, and within five minutes had seven different people popping up on my chat demanding that I take it down. Which I of course immediately did, and called upon other people to do the same thing. I also can’t count the amount of people I saw on Twitter condemning the vile attacks made against her.

While most people acquitted themselves badly over this weekend, there was a substantial and influential minority of people who stood up for her. These people’s voices were also far more likely to be listened to.

Oh my god. I just saw that video!! I feel sorry for her.

..seems that was an exposé of a bully, resulting in herself being bullied for bullying the 99%!

Perfect example of what happens here. You don’t like the message call the person an idiot! And then wait for the green thumb brigade to support you.

We’ll see, John.

No, fg will be gone, unfortunately not living up to their 5 point plan, providing cutbacks to the most vulnerable in our soceity. Being spineless when it comes to europe and now attacking freedom of speech. It is no wonder they never shook off the Eoin O Duffy brigade title.

Then again the opposition are awful

@Frank- you’re a disgrace ascribing that reason to the sad passing of Sean McEntee. You’re a horrendous human being.

This wouldn’t be addressed at all they don’t care about our kids they’ve shown that many a time this is because it affected 1 of their own

@Mary
In a country where members of the catholic church sexually abused children for years as our government(s) said little or nothing?
I’d say you probably have the right to be cynical.

Doreen i couldnt agree more with you.

I think it’s wrong that people are using this mans name on these comments, this is all still very raw for his family and friends and the last thing they need is to be reading comments like these online. Show some respect.

It’s not you been cynical.
It’s just the truth.the politicians in Ireland never address a problem until it falls on their own door step.its like the gangland thing.
Until one of their own is affected by a mistaken identity hit ,they really don’t care.
Cyber bulling is awful because the victim can’t stand up to the offender,mainly because theses cowards remain anonymise.

Mrs Mitchell O’Connor.

Does this mean that you are going to have a word with your fellow government members about their little anonymous “PIZZA GATE PRANKS”?
Yes the ones that they carry out whilst slugging subsidized drink down their gullets in the luxury of the Dail Bar.
Yes the ones where they poke fun at a people who try to stand up for a unfortunate families that get broken into and assaulted by thugs at 5.30 in the morning.

Yes. Please tell us Mrs Mitchell O’Connor.

@mik- remember that day 18 months ago…all the kids were off and all the adults were heading into the schools with photo ID’s? That was what is called “Election Day”. Now, I’m no political scientist but I’m pretty sure free elections are a telltale sign suggesting a Democracy. I mention this in passing .

how do you know “there is absolutely no doubt” ?

There is absolutely no doubt that this was a significant factor in the suicide of a government minister before Christmas.

Yes there is.

Internet censorship is pretty much unenforceable and wrong. If Mr McEntee had no twitter or fb account then anyone who would have anything to say could write a letter.

When someone gets an abusive letter there’s no talk of restricting An Post.

Why don’t you name them?

A tax-payer salaried CEO who refuses to reveal how much they are paid at that, too..

Barry…don’t tempt me…

Mark, I did not say it was the only factor, nor that he would not have taken his life anyway but that it was a significant factor is pretty bl**dy obvious.

Tomy, I have not at any point suggested internet censorship, nor do I believe in it, but I do think it is time we examined the extent to which the establishment, even the parts that capitalise on condeming it, is using, abusing and encouraging cyber abuse at will as and when it suits them.

@Gaye

“that it was a significant factor is pretty bl**dy obvious.” i’m questioning the same thing again here, but, how? how is it ‘obvious’? did you see the digital abuse he apparently got? do you know what he was thinking? have you talk to him since his death? (are you a medium?!) i think you are making presumptions and subscribing to hearsay.

“I have not at any point suggested internet censorship, nor do I believe in it” <<— then why self censor the word 'bloody'?!

Journal Comment ….???? What is that about ? This poster has no ID . .

@John, I think you are missing my point so completely there is nothing I can discuss with you

@Mark O’cular You are so focussed on one minor aspect of what I have said that you have convinced me that if you were not one of those involved in the cyberbullying of McEntee then you make a habit of cyberbullying others in a similar way, and would love an excuse to take a crack at me.

McEntee is not the only person to suicide in circumstances that involved cyberbullying, the suicides we hear about are usually teens, and there are plenty of others we do not hear about too.

I am aware that many people suicide because of the effects of the recession (I have come close myself more than once so that is very much to the forefront of my mind) but that does not make it ok to push people over the edge with cyberbullying, and it certainly is *NOT* ok for the same NGOs that bleed the state white for little or nothing but fulfilling their own ambitions to be openly encouraging cyberbullying whenever it suits their agenda.

@Gaye
i am merely pointing out the inaccuracy of your statement… that is not bullying.. there is a danger of accusations of bullying being used as way to deflect criticism. i don’t think it is a good thing to wrap ourselves in cotton wool and cry wolf…
i don’t condone bullying, i hope i am a not misinterpreted as a bully. my first comment on this article should show you that i take this subject seriously.

It’s a funny video clip and will be forgotten by tomorrow. Hopefully the girl will learn a little humility from her experience.

Well, I can tell that by wearing a Man United shirt you’re comfortable taking a slagging

@Ciaran Morgan – Disgraceful comment. So she got what she deserved is what you’re saying. Great that her silly mistake should get paraded all over the world so that she can learn a little lesson. No wonder cyberbullying and bullying in general is so rampant when justifications like this are used.

Perhaps she should just toughen up and ignore it. Is that’s the advice we should give to all our kids? Toughen up and take the bullying.

@Jim I totally agree with you, and it makes my blood run cold how many thumbs down anyone who condemns cyberbullying is receiving…as compared to the thumbs up for anyone who supports it.

…of course that is not the way the majority of people feel, it is just the cyberbullies turning up in force to see if they can justify themselves and draw a little blood.

Disagree, again not bullying to show a video of an actual event which accrued in public, or to have an opinion of the behaviour displayed, Yes bullying to call the person names rather than attacking the behaviour , but we should not censor