Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Many of us in this Chamber are extremely concerned about the reactionary, right-wing, conspiracy and misogynistic content that has become increasingly popular in recent years on social media, and which is starting to filter in and contribute to societal issues in Ireland. Such views have unfortunately always been present in society. However, due to social media it is now possible to create and spread anti-progressive views more widely and rapidly than ever before.

I bring to the Taoiseach's attention a recent study from DCU's anti-bullying centre, which has shown that algorithms used by social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok are rapidly amplifying misogynistic and male supremacist content, as well as right-wing and reactionary conspiracy content, much of which is also anti-transgender. The researchers on the study found that every single male social media account was sent masculinist, anti-feminist and other extremist content irrespective of whether they sought out this content. What is even more concerning is that they all received this content within the first 23 minutes of the experiment. This is extremely frightening and opens our eyes to the types of toxic and problematic content young boys and men in Ireland are exposed to every day. TikTok has more than 1.5 billion active monthly users, almost half of whom are under the age of 25. Recent statistics show a concerning increase in the incidence of sexual and gender-based harassment in schools and among young people in Ireland. According to Women's Aid, there has been an increase in the number of women reporting experiences of both online and offline sexual and gender-based harassment. There is no doubt but that there is a link between the growing abuse faced by women and girls and the recent rise in recent male supremacist content online. It has been shown that such content has also served as a gateway into far-right spaces. The study shows that many male accounts were also recommended reactionary, right-wing content with a focus on anti-trans and anti-woke content. A few were even shown conspiracy content, often regarding large-scale government control. This is incredibly alarming and it is clear that the recent rise of the far right in Ireland goes hand in hand with the rise of this content on TikTok and YouTube.

The DCU study noted that anti-feminist, male supremacist and far-right narratives merged together into a seamless and mutually compatible set of talking points, collectively underpinned by the logic of conspiracy. The research paper is a worrying and disturbing read, and I was truly horrified to discover the type of content and messages that young Irish men are being exposed to. It really is no wonder that we are seeing the devastating effects of this in reality. Messages like masculinity is under threat because of female empowerment and government brainwashing, that the idea of the family is threatened by LGBTQI+ rights or the suggestion that depression is not a real mental illness and it makes men weak are incredibly concerning. This is a serious problem and links in with earlier questions in the Chamber today. It is one that is only becoming more mainstream as well. How is the Taoiseach going to address it?

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