Premier uses social media to respond to cyberbullying

The Premier has taken to social media this morning to outline how Queensland intends to tackle cyberbullying.

It comes ahead of the release of the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce report and the Palaszczuk Government’s full response at a lunch today.

“Nine months ago, I decided to do something about Cyberbullying,” the Premier said.

“I got together academics and experts, parents and children and formed the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce.

“They travelled the state and listened to people’s stories and even got Ed Sheeran to spread the word.

“I met Tick and Kate Everett, two of the most courageous people I think I’ve ever met.

“We talked about their daughter Dolly who, at the age of 14, tragically took her own life.

“They don’t want what happened to them to happen to anyone else and neither do I.

“Our schools are going to get better at how they deal with bullies.

“Parents are going to have a clearer picture about who to call if their child’s a victim and what are the consequences for the bully.

“We’re going to give families all the tech support they need to keep up with their kids.

“And we’re going to target the social media companies to do more to stop this.

“We already have five-year jail terms for cyber bullies and recently we introduced new laws about sharing images.”

The Premier said more details would be released after Cabinet today, but it was important to take to social media with some of the details first.

“Social media is where the problem exists,” the Premier said.

“Social media has connected people like never before and for all its good, it has created a minefield of different platforms where anyone can be bullied anytime of the day and night.

“Our young people are entitled to form connections and communicate online and via social media and it is the responsibility of Government, business and the community to foster online environments where bullying is not tolerated.

“There is no ‘one thing’ we can do to stop cyber bullying.

“We have to do everything, and we have to do it together.”

VIDEO - https://www.facebook.com/APalaszczukMP/videos/931448017049658/

ENDS

Media contact: Shane Doherty – 0439 624 473