Boycott websites which don't tackle abuse, says Cameron

Social networking websites which do not
"step up to the plate" and tackle online
abuse should be boycotted, the prime
minister has said.
David Cameron told the BBC that the death of
14-year-old Hannah Smith - who had been
subject to web bullying - was "absolutely
tragic".
He said those running the websites had to
"clean up their act" and if they did not,
people should boycott them.
Hannah's father has said she killed herself
after being bullied on ask.fm.
He has since called for tighter controls to be
applied to social networking websites.
Clean up act
Mr Cameron said it was something he worried
about as the father of three young children
and said the government was looking at
measures to help parents manage internet
dangers - for example by introducing filters to
block online pornography.
He added: "It's not the case that there's
nothing we can do just because it's online. I
think there are some steps that need to be
taken.
"First of all, the people that run these websites
have got to step up to the plate, clean up their
act and show some responsibility.
"It's not acceptable what's allowed to happen
on these sites. It's their responsibility, and
those posting these hateful remarks, first and
foremost.
"Just because something is done online doesn't
mean that it's legal. If you incite hatred, if you
incite violence, that's a crime whether you do
it in a television studio, on a soapbox or
online and so these people can be chased.
"If websites don't clean up their act and don't
sort themselves out then we as members of
the general public have got to stop using these
particular sites and boycott them."
'Deepest condolences'
The prime minister has recently announced
plans for family-friendly filters to be
automatically selected for all new broadband
customers by the end of the year .
Ask.fm, the website used by Hannah, from
Leicestershire, allows people to post
comments anonymously. Her father Dave said
he found posts telling her to die.
The Latvia-based website said its moderators
"ensure genuine concerns are acted upon
immediately" and that it always removed
"content reported to us that violates our terms
of service".
In a statement, it said: "Hannah Smith's death
is a tragedy; we would like to convey our
deepest condolences to her family and friends.
"We have reached out to Leicestershire police
and would be happy to co-operate with their
investigation into the circumstances.
"Ask.fm actively encourages our users and
their parents to report any incidences of
bullying, either by using the in-site reporting
button, or via our contact page."