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Ronan's school: internet must be regulated

St Joseph's Grammar School, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone
St Joseph's Grammar School, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone St Joseph's Grammar School, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone

THE school Ronan Hughes attended has called for stricter internet regulation to prevent a similar tragedy.

St Joseph's Grammar School in Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, yesterday issued a statement saying that companies and legislators have a "moral compulsion" to regulate the web.

It said such regulation could help young people remain safe from harm.

"There can be no more fitting tribute to young Ronan's life than this," the statement read.

The school said the internet has an important role in education.

"Sadly, we now know all too well that the abuse of the internet for criminal purposes is a global phenomenon and that no national border or jurisdiction, nor indeed no family home, is safe from the reach of cyber criminals," it read.

It added: "We believe there is now a moral compulsion on the major global corporations which profit from social media sites, and on legislators across the world, to regulate the internet so that our young people can remain safe from harm."

St Joseph's said its computer system stops any child from accessing social media while using the internet at school.

"As a school we are firm in our resolve to progress the important work we have done on cyber safety and will continue to call upon the expertise of the numerous external agencies that have worked with us over many years," it said.

The school has applied for National Lottery money to help fund a cyber safety programme for our pupils and staff.

"Equally, we take seriously our responsibility to guide and empower parents so that they have the confidence and know-how to help their child navigate the internet safely at home," the statement read.

"For this reason we will extend our guidance for parents with further training and with the resources that are available on our school website.

"However, as no parent or school can be physically present at a young person's side around the clock, we call upon our partners in DE (Department of Education), CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) and within the Inspectorate to re-double their efforts in supporting the work that schools do in educating young people and their parents about the potential dangers on the internet."

The school community extended its sympathies to Ronan's parents Gerard and Teresa.

"Ronan was a much loved member of our school and he impressed all those he met with his sincerity and generosity," he said.

"Ronan had his whole future in front of him and had everything to live for."