For all the attraction and undoubted benefits of social media, there is a dark side too.
That's according to Cllr Aine Smith who brought a motion to most recent sitting of Cavan County Council calling for further laws to be enacted. The motion that got unanimous support called on the Minister for Tourism, Arts, Gaeltacht and media and also the Minister for Children to bring in a law for identity verification on social media platforms and a law prohibiting under 16’s from using social media also.
The local councillor said the ability to remain anonymous or to take on a false identity opens up opportunities for hate crime, fraud, cyberbullying and fake news. The anonymity of social platforms
protects criminals and stalkers. Cllr Smith said false information spreads like wildfire on social media and verified accounts can help curb the dissemination of misinformation by providing a reliable source. She said enough is enough adding we need to act now to safeguard our children.
