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Gardaí concerned about children who 'live online but don't realise the dangers'

The head of the garda cyber crime bureau says under-reporting is a “huge problem” particularly in cases where the victim has been personally compromised.

THE HEAD OF the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has said more work needs to be done to educate children and teenagers about the consequences of their actions online.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Detective Superintendent Pat Ryan said the younger generation “tends to be a little bit more vulnerable” to harassment and exploitation online.

“They live online, but I don’t think they fully realise the consequences of their actions online. The big issue is once something is posted online, that’s it. It can be shared, it can cross platforms, it can go anywhere.”

A survey by Cybersafe Ireland released in September found 43% of children aged between eight and 13 are talking to people they have never met in real life on social media and gaming platforms. 

The survey also found 59% of teachers have dealt with online safety incidences in the classroom. Of the teachers who spoke to the charity for the survey, 52% said they did not feel equipped to teach online safety messages in the classroom.

“Education, especially among the younger generation, is really important,” Ryan said.

He said the Garda Schools Programme is currently being upgraded in terms of cyber safety and a number of new modules are to be rolled out next year covering cyberbullying, online harassment and the impact their online actions can have. 

In the online world, you actually don’t know who you’re dealing with, who you’re talking to. And someone could be your friend but it could be a fake account set up by somebody.

“I think we all have a part to play when it comes to the younger generation, especially parents. They tend to go online an awful lot younger nowadays, so we need to be very careful.”

Detective Superintendent Ryan said adults need to be open to discussing the dangers with children and should reassure them about speaking up if they come across something that makes them uncomfortable. 

He said under-reporting in cybercrime is a “huge issue”, particularly in cases where the victim has been personally compromised. 

romance scam

In what have become known as ‘romance scams’, criminals are now using dating websites and apps as well as social media platforms to obtain intimate pictures of people so they can blackmail them, or to gain the victim’s trust so they will send them money, gifts or their bank account details. 

“People do feel embarrassed, and all I can say is that there is help available,” Ryan said. 

“They will be taken seriously and their complaint will be fully investigated. It’s important that people keep full records and not delete their accounts – this greatly assists An Garda Síochána in investigations.

“It’s important to note as well that we will use whatever legislation is at our disposal to enforce the law when it comes to any sort of online harassment.”

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    Mute Gaz
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    Jun 9th 2014, 2:44 PM

    I work in Melbourne cbd everyday on the street nd shall keep an eye out, who knows I might hopefully come across him

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    Mute Lorraine Tait
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:58 PM

    This is a human story Brendan. As a Glasgow native living in Ireland, my experience of the Irish, especially those living abroad, have been, if they can help you they will! and there are many Irish living in Melbourne. Hope this chap is found soon safe and well.

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    Mute Paul Carey
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:26 PM

    Irish and Scottish people share a common ancestry, and both are present in huge numbers in Australia today. Nothing bizaare here Brendan.

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:31 PM

    Ok so it’s a genetic/race thing? We’re only interested in those that have white skin and speak the same language as us.

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    Mute Sargon
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:48 PM

    Brendan – You are right, but don’t bother strong with people here. They always fail to see the big picture.

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    Mute Karen
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    Jun 9th 2014, 4:18 PM

    Because Irish and Scots tend to flock together when away and some one may remember speaking to him seeing him.

    Hope he is found safe. Thoughts and prayers with him and his family.

    Hope that poor man in Thailand from Australia is located safe as well. Thoughts and prayers with them to.

    Poor familes.

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    Mute Sargon
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    Jun 9th 2014, 4:21 PM

    strong = Arguing

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    Mute Donal Colmen Gallagher
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:43 PM

    Brendan=plonker indeed!! Hope he is found alive and well.

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    Mute RiobairdOMaingain
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    Jun 9th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Sounds like all the begrudgers bitter about being stuck in Ireland are out in force today picking on some poor unfortunate fella penniless and homeless.

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:48 PM

    An Australian man remains missing in Thailand. This is an appeal to the Irish community there.

    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-man-nathan-hansford-missing-in-thailand-20140303-33vrj.html

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 2:52 PM

    How is this Irish news?

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    Mute Tony Flynn
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:09 PM

    I think it may have something to do with the large Irish community in Australia, some of whom may read the journal and could potentially help in the search for him. I’m sure you wouldn’t be such a smart ass if it was an appeal for one of your family members on a Scottish site. Stick to trolling thescore.

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:16 PM

    Will they also be expecting national coverage in the home news sites in Greece, India, china etc? I find it a bit bizarre. There’s thousands of people missing every day in the world so I don’t see why this one is highligted in particular.

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:17 PM

    Brendan — Go and get some work done.

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:19 PM

    You are some plonker. Why not highlight something in the off chance one of the members of the large irish community might recognise the man and help him out. Just because bad things happen in other countries is no reason to not to try help out in this case.

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    Mute Paul Conlon
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:35 PM

    I know if one of my friends or family were missing I’d be delighted for any help anyone or any news site could offer.
    Why would you bother commenting in such a negative manner?
    Stop being an idiot.

    69
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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:39 PM

    It;s about editorial control. If we followed this example then 90% of news websites would be taken up with “do you know this person” police messages. But I can see there is close to zero editorial input here. Just luck at the paris love locks duplication.

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    Mute Alicia Cormican
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    Jun 9th 2014, 9:44 PM

    Brendan a mother is searching for her child whom is homeless in a foreign country, if he was your brother son or friend wouldn’t you want as many people as possible to see his photo so that maybe someone somewhere can help?? Being so negative in life won’t get you anywhere!

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    Mute Sinead O'Carroll
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    Jun 10th 2014, 12:21 AM

    Hi Brendan. The appeal has been shared by many of the Irish living in Australia, which is what brought it to our attention. As other commenters have pointed out, there is a large Irish community in Melbourne who remain clued in to news back home – through TJ and other outlets. This is something they have been talking about and are interested in. The headline suggests just that. Thanks, Sinead, News Editor

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    Mute Lynda Thompson
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    Jun 16th 2014, 1:54 PM

    He was found safe and well thank goodness (and Brendan Boyd, I would think that if someone from your family went missing either at home or abroad, that you would be thankful for any help and support regardless where it came from …. or maybe not!)

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-backpacker-jonathan-ansell-found-3676276

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    Mute Treasa Ni Mhairnan
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    Jun 10th 2014, 2:41 AM

    Try street works a DHS run crowd that be around city Melbourne . Don’t worry There are plenty of places he can eat for free. Lentil as anything works on donation base. Salvation Army have homeless shelters worth a try. Good luck

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