Subject: Concerns Over Youth’s Exposure to Harmful Content on Social Media; Impact of Lowering Digital Age Access Limit
In a piece by Carl O’Brien, it was highlighted that within a matter of 23 minutes, young men are subjected to harmful antifeminist and extremist content online. This has attracted vehement backlash, particularly in a recent Oireachtas Committee discussion involving social media companies. A prominent point raised by a TD was the same state that refrains from licensing 13-year-olds to drive, is approving their use of social media platforms.
Ironically, some of the leading children’s advocacy groups, including the ISPCC and the Children’s Rights Alliance, were integral in advocating for reducing the digital access age to 13 in 2017. Now, with ongoing research and a DCU study shedding light on the damaging influence of these platforms, there’s an important question to be asked – where do these organisations stand now in the discussion of the lowered digital access age?
– Noel Howard,
Kilworth,
Co Cork.