Written declaration, under Rule 136 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, on combating cyberbullying and the dissemination of revenge pornography
1. Ensuring the safety and security of citizens online from cyberbullying should be an EU priority.
2. An increasing number of people use online social platforms, which has been accompanied by a sharp rise in bullying and harassment, requiring increased efforts to address this issue while striking a balance between prevention of harassment and respect for freedom of speech.
3. While some online social platforms have signed EU anti-hate-speech legislation, more must be done to combat online harassment, particularly against women, religious and ethnic minorities, LGBTI and people with disabilities when this form of harassment is not yet covered by existing hate crime legislation.
4. Furthermore, revenge pornography has resulted in high rates of mental health issues and suicide, and must therefore be countered.
5. The Commission and Council are therefore called upon to:
a. encourage Member States to take all necessary measures, including criminal charges where appropriate, against all forms of revenge pornography, including in cross border cases;
b. develop general and targeted anti-cyberbullying awareness and education programmes;
c. further involve the private sector to combat cyberbullying and stop the dissemination of revenge pornography.
6. This declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the Council and the Commission.