Children's social media use is now a 'public health crisis' in Ireland, the Health Minister has warned.

Stephen Donnelly said there is “no question anymore” that social media is harming children adding that there is now extensive evidence from researchers in Ireland, the EU and the United States to back him up. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Minister Donnelly said it is now quite clear that society has to reduce social media use among the young.

“This is very simple,” he said. 

“There is an analogy I believe to smoking; we now know that there are vast and deep and sinister harms being done to people through certain types of online activity - social media is just one [of those activities].” 

Minister Donnelly said the dangers of online bullying and predators on the internet are well-known but it is now clear that they are not the only risks parents should be mindful of.

“We also know there are links to self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide, violence against women and sexual violence against women,” he said. 

“All sorts of really dark things.” 

A man smoking a cigarette. Image: Jes2ufoto / Alamy Stock Photo

When it was put to him that social media giants would likely object to restrictions on the grounds of free speech, Minister Donnelly said large corporations have historically resisted change that might threaten their profit margin.  

“I’m sure the tobacco companies said the same thing,” he said. 

“That’s why it’s incumbent on Government to act and that’s what we’re doing.” 

Minister Donnelly said there are now two “really important new laws in place” that will help keep children safe from harmful content. 

“One is at a European level - it’s called the Digital Services Act - and then one is at an Irish level, it’s called the Online Safety Act,” he said. 

“Actually, people around Europe are looking at our local law and saying, ‘This is something we might want to replicate.’

“What this does is it brings in massive fines - so, fines as a percentage of global turnover for these companies. 

“These companies have billions in God knows how much global turnover, so we’re talking about very, very serious amounts of money but also there are criminal sanctions.”

Young people on their phones. Picture by: Alamy.com

Minister Donnelly said that while the laws are still new, several companies are already under investigation and the Irish Government will be “watching that very carefully”.

“This is a public health crisis,” he said. 

“Children are being damaged in multiple ways and we have an obligation to make sure parents know about it and parents have the tools they need. 

“Parents cannot be expected to do this on their own. Children cannot be expected to do this on their own.” 

Earlier this week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a plan to ban young people from using social media. 

The minimum age has yet to be decided upon but it could be as old as 16.

Main image: The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews