THE FIRST MEETING of a Government body set up to look at issues relating to the internet – including online bullying and harassment – has taken place today, ahead of a public consultation later this year.

The Internet Content Governance Advisory Group met to discuss issues around online content and its impact on the lives of children and young people.

The group was set up by Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte in December to give recommendations to the Government on internet governance. There are six members of the group, including chair Dr Brian O’Neill, the head of the school of media at DIT.

The group has been asked to come up with specific recommendations about laws around sharing material online,  and the relationship between online service providers, ISPs, the State and citizens over legal material and bullying online.

The group will begin to take submissions from the public in the coming months and will report to the Minister later this year.

Dr O’Neill said the report will focus on ‘identifying specific areas where the existing regulatory and legislative frameworks for internet governance in Ireland could be improved and will make concise recommendations on how to address these issues’.

Minister Rabbitte said it was important for Ireland to facilitate “a safe and encouraging online environment for society and particularly for children and young people” as Ireland focuses increasingly on becoming a tech hub.

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