Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. I find myself reflecting on what Mr. David Thompson said in asking what kind of society or world we are developing. Some of what has been described is quite harrowing and all of us are exposed to it on different platforms at different times. Service companies are being used to insulate Facebook and others from the full responsibility of the effects of the employment, which must be legally addressed.

I know it has been mentioned but I cannot understand how copies of NDAs are not being given to people. If I sign a legal document that will bind me in future, I want to know what I have signed and I want a copy of it. I cannot understand how NDAs have been skirted in a legal fashion. I do not understand how that was achieved, although I understand that people must accept it as a term of employment. I just do not know how it can stand.

What activity is Facebook doing to profile challenging contributors? I refer specifically to the blacklisting of IP addresses and trying to target people who are generating content, which may be inside but is probably outside the EU.

I have no doubt the question of post-traumatic stress disorder is very real. I have often been shocked by what I have seen online. It seems benign compared with some of what has been mentioned here.

It is obvious that the moderation is supporting the platforms. As has been pointed out, if it was not moderated it probably could not work. This is part of the problem, that Facebook has a way out using moderators. Is there anything the employees can do as a group to put pressure on Facebook? As a parent, if I felt there was not proper moderation going on, I would not want my kids accessing Facebook. That is obviously a much wider discussion globally for moderators. I would welcome hearing any information they have about what Facebook is doing to try to identify and sanction those who are deliberately putting out more than challenging content that people should not see because it is very damaging for mental health and long-term well-being.