Protecting adults and young people from cyber crime and bullying was to the fore of Friday's meeting of Cavan's Joint Policing Committee.
Noel Loughran Juvenile Liaison Officer in Louth told those gathered that cyber crime emerged in tandem with advances in the mobile phone.
In terms of cyber bullying, he said it started out as general threatening, abusive and insulting words but became much more sinister as time went on.
The JPC meeting heard that teenagers and students are being targeted by money launderers on social media platforms.
"They are promised €200 for giving their card to 'a friend of a friend' and the card is subsequently used to withdraw thousands of euro from their account," he added.
"They never see the €200 and often end up being charged in connection with the incident by Gardai."
Mr Loughran went on to say that older and more vulnerable people are targeted through phone calls, unsolicited emails and sob stories.
The juvenile liaison officer highlighted how older people have landlines and no caller ID as a result; so they often give the caller their personal details because they are afraid.
Emails often pertain to be from a reputable organisation, like An Post, and once the link is clicked requests for bank details are made.
Mr Loughran said Gardai were asking young people to never say anything online that they would not say to a person's face.
He also advised them never to give out personal information or bank details online.
The juvenile liaison officer highlighted how Gardai need evidence when it comes to online abuse and bullying.
He advised youngsters who find themselves in a situation like this to take screenshots of the threatening comments and bring it to the attention of Gardai.
