Facebook pages arouse Netsafe concerns

Internet advice agency Netsafe has told the Law Commission that it is concerned about a “proliferation of anonymous Facebook pages used to publish derogatory and often sexually explicit rumours about students.”

The commission reported: “The first of these gossip pages to come to their attention included ‘extremely derogatory’ comments about students and ultimately is thought to have played some part in the suicide of a young girl.”

The commission suggested creating a new commissioner or a tribunal with powers to order internet providers to take down such pages if they breach any law and are likely to result in psychological or other harm.