Online safety advice has been issued to general election candidates in a joint bid by gardaí and the media and online safety regulator.
An information pack published today provides advice on the role of gardaí and Coimisiún na Meán and guidance for election candidates on what to do when faced with harmful or illegal content or behaviour online.
Deputy commissioner in policing operations Shawna Coxon said: “It is important everyone feels free to participate in the electoral process, whether they are engaging in real life or online.”
The information pack includes information on scenarios candidates might face during the campaign and the steps they can take.
It also highlights their rights under Coimisiún na Meán’s new Online Safety Framework and the channels for reporting suspected illegal content on the various social media platforms.
It comes as a growing number of people involved in politics speak out about abuse and harmful behaviour.
Fine Gael TD for Galway East Ciarán Cannon, one of 18 deputies in his party who will not contest this election, cited a “toxicity” in politics that did not exist 20 years ago as a reason for stepping down.
A UCD study published in May found 73pc of Oireachtas members frequently suffer abuse on social media.
In September, Taoiseach Simon Harris and a number of senior Ministers were briefed on the new Online Safety Framework by gardaí and Coimisiún na Meán.
“It is important that people are empowered to run as candidates in any election without being discouraged by illegal abuse or behaviour online,” said Cóimisíun na Meán digital services commissioner John Evans.
"We want our media landscape to support democracy and electoral integrity, and we hope that this information pack will help candidates understand their rights online and where to turn to for help, if needed.
"We’re also engaging with online platforms on their preparations for the election and we expect them to play their part in ensuring that people can make free, fair and informed choices about where to cast their vote”.
Earlier this week a man pleaded guilty to assaulting Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman while he was canvassing in Blanchardstown last Saturday.
"On Saturday, while out canvassing in Dublin West, what was otherwise a positive canvass was marred by an alarming incident with one individual. I am grateful to the Garda protection officer assigned to me who was forced to intervene, and I have given a statement to the gardaí on the matter,” Mr O’Gorman said in a statement.
