Police are looking into the circulation of inappropriate content on social media, following public calls for accountability for those sharing such material.
In a statement, police say they are deeply concerned and disappointed in the manner in which social media is being used.
They say they have noted a rise in hateful comments against certain individuals where one’s ethnicity, religion or status is often subject of intolerable exchanges.
Police have urged people to think about the impact their posts can have on loved ones, as these effects can be lasting and hard to remove once online.
Authorities are also hoping for a change of mindset, in particular of those supporting these content creators, giving them cause to post as they are benefiting financially from their platforms.
Police says those who use the platforms in a positive manner and for its intended purpose outnumber those who are using it in a negative way, the implications the negative posts are having on our society cannot be ignored.
They are encouraging members of the public to come forward and lodge official reports to enable investigations to be conducted, as it will also assist police in securing a successful prosecution that will act as a strong and effective deterrent.
