Ms Julie de Bailliencourt:

In such cases we are able to provide information to help locate the person and, it is to be hoped, facilitate a welfare check on him or her. I wish to highlight that we are very invested in the discussion on social media and well-being and the company is dedicated to contributing to it. Facebook, along with many other organisations, was part of the task force on youth mental well-being set up by the former Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy McEntee. It is heartwarming for us to see that young people who may be in vulnerable communities, possibly in rural areas or the LGBTIQ or Traveller communities or any community that may be targeted or vulnerable, have a unique way of connecting online. A landscape of support groups from which people can find support and like-minded people who may be able to help them at any time of the day is available through Facebook and other services. We know from talking to many such groups, including young people, that with additional resources, they can find immediate support and people to chat to about topics that are weighing on their minds. Parents are concerned and may have questions about what happens but there is a huge ecosystem of support groups at a local level discussing these very important topics. In particular, social media is a fantastic way for vulnerable and possibly lonely people in rural areas to connect at any time of the day with people who may support them.