Coimisiún na Meán has this week launched a new nationwide campaign raising awareness about harmful content online and how to report it, as well as information available to assist the public, here on our website. The campaign aims to raise awareness of people’s rights under Ireland’s Online Safety Framework, particularly regarding the protection of children and young people, and will roll out nationally across radio, print and social media. This campaign is supported by the Department of Health.
The campaign will include a series of short videos for users – encouraging them to report harmful material they might encounter online, including cyberbullying and the promotion of eating disorders, self-harm and suicide as well as dangerous challenges. It will also aim to strengthen the public’s understanding of the importance of reporting such content to platforms. Coimisiún na Meán has information on its website on how to report and what to do if you are not happy with a platform’s response to that report.
Speaking on the launch of the new campaign, Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett said: “There are obligations on platforms under the Online Safety Framework to protect the safety of children online and to restrict content which impairs their physical, mental or moral welfare. Our strategy is to focus on key outcome areas which include children, public safety and public health. We are happy to partner with the Department of Health on this important campaign and I’d like to thank the Minister for Health for her support and interest in these issues.
“We want to remind people that they have rights under our Online Safety Framework, and empower them to report harmful content. Harmful online content is never acceptable. We would encourage anyone who encounters it to report it first to the platform where they see it. For how to report and what to do if you are not happy with the response you get, please visit our website www.cnam.ie.”
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said: “Some online spaces contain harmful, inappropriate or illegal content. This campaign, which highlights the importance of reporting such content, will strengthen understanding and empower people to report it where they see it. We have seen the challenges faced by children and young people as they engage with digital environments and I will shortly publish the Final Report of the Online Health Taskforce which contains a comprehensive framework to help tackle these challenges.”
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “Keeping us safe online, in particular, keeping our children and young people safe online is a top priority for me. Don’t stay silent if you see something harmful, inappropriate or illegal online. You can report it to the platform and you have options if you’re not happy with the outcome, Coimisiún na Meán is here to help and support you. We can help each other and our children stay safe by using our voice and exercising our right to report.”
The campaign will be supported by extensive new website resources, including the How to Report guides and parents’ information pack.