New digital watchdog set to chase online trolls

Social media companies could be forced to take down harmful online material

Social media networks such as Twitter have been criticised for taking a laissez-faire approach to regulating the content that they host Picture: Bloomberg

The Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten, is to set up a new watchdog to tackle online abuse.

The Digital Safety Commissioner will have the power to order social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter to take down harmful online material if they fail to do so within a reasonable timeframe.

Social media companies have been criticised for their reluctance to take down harmful social media postings, meaning members of the public have ...