Denise Daley urges tougher Jamaican laws to tackle cyberbullying and AI-driven abuse

Denise Daley, Opposition Spokesperson on Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, has urged Jamaica to sharpen its legal and policy toolkit against cyberbullying and the growing abuse of artificial intelligence. In her contribution to the 2026 Sectoral Debate, the MP cautioned that digital platforms are increasingly used to intimidate, exploit and traumatise vulnerable citizens, with women and young people among the hardest hit.

Daley said harassment no longer stops when someone walks away from a home, school or workplace. Harm now trails victims into phones, laptops and social media feeds. "Today, abuse no longer ends when someone leaves the house. It follows them onto their mobile phones, computers and social media accounts."

She identified cyberbullying as one of the most pressing risks facing the nation's youth, pointing to online harassment, cyberstalking, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and public shaming as common patterns of abuse.

Daley also flagged how fast-moving advances in artificial intelligence are opening fresh channels for harm. Deepfake imagery and other altered content, she said, are being used not only to shame, exploit and intimidate women and girls but also to target the elderly for financial gain. "Technology has enormous potential to transform every sector of our society. However, like every powerful tool, it can also be abused. Technology must never outpace our values."

The spokesperson further warned that many young men are encountering harmful online material that feeds unhealthy attitudes toward women and relationships. She argued that stronger digital education and more responsible use of technology are essential.

Daley called on the Government to start building legislative safeguards, intensify public education campaigns and widen digital literacy programmes so Jamaicans are better equipped to face emerging online threats.

She also said schools should bring cyberbullying, digital citizenship, digital footprints and the responsible use of artificial intelligence into wider discussions about healthy relationships and conduct. "Our laws, policies and education systems must evolve alongside technology. We have a responsibility to ensure that innovation improves lives without compromising the dignity, safety and well-being of our people."

Daley concluded that protecting citizens in the digital era must be treated as a national priority, especially as technology continues to change at a rapid pace.