• In Ireland, 66% of children ages between 12 and 15 do not tell their parents that they are being targeted by cyberbullying
• They are afraid, uncertain, vulnerable.
• Nearly 40% of children keep incidents of cyberbullying to themselves, in secret.
• Serious threats and cruel insult are directed at these children.
• They are harassed with false stories and false accusations:
• “You are worthless… weirdo; idiot; you’re stupid!”
• In many cases, they are encouraged to hurt themselves… AND
• …they do hurt themselves – through self-cutting; self-harm; self-poisoning.
• Children today are more connected online than ever before.
• And if they have a bully at school, they have the same bully at home –
• There is NO ESCAPE!
• 24% of children across Europe report being under the burden of cyberbullying.
• Worse still, this figure rises to 43% for children with disabilities or illness.
• Therefore, I welcome the Commission’s plan to create a common definition of cyberbullying.
• BUT the safety measures already provided for under the Digital Services Act must be strengthened and reinforced – without delay.
• The childhood of Europe’s children is being stolen from them – with no return.
• Let us act with determination and speed!
[ENDS]
