02:13
Tieng Anh Vui
Social networking websites which do not "step up to the plate" and tackle online abuse should be boycotted, the prime minister has said.
David Cameron told the BBC that the death of 14-year-old Hannah Smith - who had been subject to web bullying - was "absolutely tragic".
He said those running the websites had to "clean up their act" and if they did not, people should boycott them.
Hannah's father has said she killed herself after being bullied on ask.fm.
He has since called for tighter controls to be applied to social networking websites.
Clean up act
Mr Cameron said it was something he worried about as the father of three young children and said the government was looking at measures to help parents manage internet dangers - for example by introducing filters to block online pornography.
He added: "It's not the case that there's nothing we can do just because it's online. I think there are some steps that need to be taken.
"First of all, the people that run these websites have got to step up to the plate, clean up their act and show some responsibility.
"It's not acceptable what's allowed to happen on these sites. It's their responsibility, and those posting these hateful remarks, first and foremost.
"Just because something is done online doesn't mean that it's legal. If you incite hatred, if you incite violence, that's a crime whether you do it in a television studio, on a soapbox or online and so these people can be chased.
"If websites don't clean up their act and don't sort themselves out then we as members of the general public have got to stop using these particular sites and boycott them."
'Deepest condolences'
The prime minister has recently announced plans for family-friendly filters to be automatically selected for all new broadband customers by the end of the year .
Ask.fm, the website used by Hannah, from Leicestershire, allows people to post comments anonymously. Her father Dave said he found posts telling her to die.
The Latvia-based website said its moderators "ensure genuine concerns are acted upon immediately" and that it always removed "content reported to us that violates our terms of service".
In a statement, it said: "Hannah Smith's death is a tragedy; we would like to convey our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
"We have reached out to Leicestershire police and would be happy to co-operate with their investigation into the circumstances.
"Ask.fm actively encourages our users and their parents to report any incidences of bullying, either by using the in-site reporting button, or via our contact page."
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