Push to lock up vile Facebook trolls who harass people online for FIVE YEARS 

Push to lock up Facebook trolls who harass people online for FIVE YEARS after string of sports and TV stars were sent vile messages on social media

  • Trolls who harass people online will be jailed for five years under new legislation
  • Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed to toughen the current laws 
  • Celebrities are increasingly speaking out about the vile abuse they recieve
  • Erin Molan recently discussed trolls who said they hoped she miscarried
  • AFL star Tayla Harris felt unsafe after she was the subject of sexual comments 

Trolls who harass people online will be jailed for five years under proposed new legislation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed to toughen the current laws after a spike in complaints of abuse online if he is reelected in May’s federal election.

The changes come after an increased number of sporting and television stars spoke out about vile comments trolls often leave on their social media platforms.

Channel Nine star Erin Molan recently spoke candidly about her experience with trolls while 33 weeks pregnant, including comments hoping she gave birth to a still born. 

‘I wish u a f** still born I use u a f** still born I wish u a f** still born AND U DIE IN THE PROCESS … hip hip hooray hip hip HOORAY,’ one of the threats said. 

Erin Molan (pictured) was the host of the The Footy Show when she was bombarded with violent threats 

She had blocked the user several times after he made multiple profiles to bombard her with messages

She had blocked the user several times after he made multiple profiles to bombard her with messages

‘I am used to copping nasty comments, I am not a snowflake,’ Molan told the Sunday Telegraph.

‘But when it gets to the stage when I felt unsafe and I was heavily pregnant, and someone is threatening my life and the life of my child, it’s too much.’

Molan’s troll was arrested, slapped with an $1,000 fine and given an eight-month suspended sentence, while his Facebook accounts were shut down. 

AFL star Tayla Harris was also left fearing for her safety after abusive comments were posted online in relation to a photo of her kicking a ball during a match.

The photo of the Carlton star was initially posted to the 7AFL site but soon attracted sexual comments which prompted the site to take the picture down.  

‘I genuinely consider that they might show up at the footy. If they’re thinking this way and able to write it down, what are they going to do when I’m on sideline meeting some kids – that’s what I’m going to have to think about now.

An image (above) of Tayla Harris was uploaded to twitter by 7AFL and attracted offensive comments

An image (above) of Tayla Harris was uploaded to twitter by 7AFL and attracted offensive comments 

Sporting stars rallied behind the AFL Women's star and begun re-tweeting the image of Tayla Harris which was deleted

Sporting stars rallied behind the AFL Women’s star and begun re-tweeting the image of Tayla Harris which was deleted

AFL Women's star Tayla Harris (pictured right) says she fears for her safety after abusive comments were posted online directed toward a photo of her kicking a ball during a match

AFL Women’s star Tayla Harris (pictured right) says she fears for her safety after abusive comments were posted online directed toward a photo of her kicking a ball during a match

‘Some of the comments were sexual abuse, what I would consider sexual abuse on social media.

‘These people need to be called out by the AFL, but something needs to go further. It’s something maybe Victoria Police should have to look at.’

Mr Morrison’s latest amendment to the law will see trolls facing five years imprisonment instead of a maximum of three, which is the current legislation.

The Coalition also hopes to introduce new standards for video games to keep youth safe, in which the default privacy settings when signing up to play are the most restrictive. 

Anna Meares criticised 7AFL for their decision to delete the image because of the negativity

Anna Meares criticised 7AFL for their decision to delete the image because of the negativity

Molan had also reported the threats to Facebook but received a slack response from the platform saying the messages weren't 'abusive or offensive' enough to be taken down

Molan had also reported the threats to Facebook but received a slack response from the platform saying the messages weren’t ‘abusive or offensive’ enough to be taken down

More than 200,000 youths experience bullying or intimidation on multiplayer games each year, The Sunday Telegraph reported. 

But Mr Morrison hopes to slash those figures by implementing tighter security settings.

He also hopes to hold social media platforms to account regarding the amount of complaints that are made each year, and what action they take to put an end to bullying. 

‘As a dad I know first-hand how anxious parents feel about what their kids see and do ­online and the dangers the ­internet can bring,’ he said.

‘Online trolls have no place in Australia and I promise to bring in new laws to protect our kids and keep our community safe.’  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed to toughen the current laws after a spike in complaints of abuse online if he is reelected in May's federal election

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed to toughen the current laws after a spike in complaints of abuse online if he is reelected in May’s federal election



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