Rugby League star Robbie Farah is the latest public figure to be targetted by Twitter.

The West Tigers captain called on the Prime Minister to toughen internet laws and make trolls accountable online.

Melissa Yeo reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Farah was targeted by an internet troll who posted a disturbing, sexually explicit tweet about his late mother, on Sunday night.

NSW Police Minister Michael Gallacher said State Police had some powers to act on offensive tweets but also required the full support of the federal government.

Michael Gallacher, NSW Police Minister: “Need to empower police with the ability to replace their keyboards with handcuffs.”

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell tweeted his support for Farah saying it shouldn’t matter who the target is.

This abuse of Twitter was completely unacceptable.

Mr O’Farrell told Triple M Radio the attacker would soon be tracked down by police after Twitter users identified his ISP address.

This latest incident comes just a few weeks after television personality Charlotte Dawson was admitted to hospital following a torrent of internet abuse.

Melissa Yeo, QUT News.