AN increase in the number of people using social networking sites in the Isle of Man is causing "growing policing problems".
That's according to the Isle of Man's Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK.
He said the Isle of Man Constabulary has evidence to show that the networking sites are being used to "threaten, harass and alarm people and to facilitate crimes including drug trafficking".
Mr Watterson was responding to a question for written answer in today's (February 14) House of Keys which was posed by the North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson.
Mr Henderson asked the Minister how many local reports of Facebook abuse had been brought to police attention in the last two years.
He also wanted to know what action could be taken against such abuse and whether any action had been taken against anyone living in the Isle of Man.
Mr Watterson said the Isle of Man Constabulary did not keep specific records of abuse involving the use of Facebook and other social networking sites and therefore there were no figures available for the last two years.
He added: "However the constabulary is aware that the increasing use of social networking sites by a significant part of the population is bringing with it growing policing problems.
"Additionally they pose a risk to the security of information and the integrity of public and private sector organisations and to the individuals working for them.
"These problems do not necessarily offset the considerable benefits of such systems but they present many challenges which are likely to grow in scale, complexity and intensity."
Mr Watterson added that the police force have "various statutory provisions" which they can use including the Protection from Harassment Act, the Telecommunications Act, the Criminal Code and the Computer Security Act.
He concluded: "Periodically offenders have been prosecuted for their criminal use of social networking sites. Such cases have included instances in which the use of such a site has been the sole conduct involved, or instances in which misuses of a social networking site has simply been a part of a course in criminal conduct."
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