Senators clashed yesterday over the hazards of social media and inappropriate images of young people leading to abuse.

Lindsay Simmons, the junior social development minister, clashed with Marcus Jones, the Acting Opposition Leader in the Senate during the debate on February as Teen Dating Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

Mr Jones said there was imagery featuring teenagers online that would “absolutely make your hair stand on end” and asked about guidance given to mitigate the risks from social media.

Saying no one would call abuse deserved, he added: “I do believe our young people are inviting this type of behaviour because they are ignorantly getting on social media and putting themselves in harm’s way.”

Mr Jones said young people were constantly on their phones which “appears to be the smoking gun”.

Ms Simmons responded: “First of all, I would like to disagree with you.

“I don’t think that anybody — you said they’re inviting by how they’re dressed is inviting this behaviour. No matter what, nobody deserves this abuse, whether it’s on social media or in person.”

She added that parents needed to educate and monitor their children better and said the ministry was working on introducing courses to help people to learn more about the online risks, as well as a media campaign.

Mr Jones said: “If I put a $20 bill on the sidewalk, I am inviting someone to steal it.

“I am not wishing it, but because of my actions I have invited a thief to steal $20 that belongs to me.

“I do not want the public to think that because of the careless behaviour or uneducated behaviour of our young people by putting certain images on the social media platform, I am not saying they are intentionally trying to be abused.

“I am saying their actions have unintended consequences.”

Ms Simmons said she was “appalled” by the comment.

“I do not care if a child was lying on the street naked.

“We need to teach our children that it does not matter what somebody wears or says.

“I don’t even know what to say — that statement actually hurts me as a mother.”

Mr Jones responded there had been “a suggestion my motive was not above board — I want to express very strongly that’s not my intent”.

Ms Simmons revealed during that debate that police dealt with 679 calls that fell under the category of a “domestic incident” in 2021.

She told the Upper House that police “do see an increase with young adults under the age of 18” involved in domestic incidents.

But in response to requests for details, she said further data was still being compiled.