Redland City Councillors are highlighting the often-damaging effects of online bullying, with the launch of an advocacy campaign that calls for mutual respect in virtual spaces.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said the ‘Respect 4 You, Respect 4 Me’ campaign aimed to promote respectful behaviour.
“The effects of online bullying and harassment are well-known, and it is my hope that we all do our part in promoting respectful communication within our community,” she said.
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“This initiative encourages everyone, including elected representatives, to ensure their online interactions with others are delivered with respect, especially when expressing personal views about local matters.
“It is by encouraging everyone to have buy-in to this Council initiative that things will change.
“Whether a councillor or a member of the community, I believe we should all work to create greater respect for each other.
“Respectful debate is important but personal attacks can be harmful and stop people from participating in the democratic process.
“All Councillors have committed to the campaign, and I hope it creates some thought and change across the community.”
Division 9 Councillor Jason Colley, whose Notice of Motion to the December 2024 General Meeting of Council sparked the campaign, said the damaging effects of bullying were well known, with poor standards of online behaviour towards individuals often having devastating and sometimes tragic consequences.
“As civic leaders, we anticipate a degree of public scrutiny, but this often stretches well beyond reasonable comment, can extend to Council staff, and can be harmful,” he said.
“It also sets a very poor example for younger generations.
“We have an important role as Councillors to model the standard of behaviour that is expected of the community and therefore decided to advocate for more respectful behaviour online and to lead the change we need to see.”
Cr Colley said he called on every community member to ensure their cyber interactions were fair and respectful to all.
“While Council has a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment, we all have a part to play, and I encourage everyone to be an advocate for respectful online behaviour,” he said
“It’s fine to have a differing point of view to others, but not agreeing with someone doesn’t justify bullying or harassing them”.
