Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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-----because this is starting to move and shift. It is difficult for us to do this because the technology is moving so fast, and because the technology is driving the culture, everything is moving extremely fast and it is only in retrospect that we start to pick this up. I would be interested in the witnesses' thoughts on that or if any studies have been done. On the mental health side, the subliminal effects and how we conduct ourselves are things I am starting to research more and more because nine times out of ten we would not have these conversations face to face with people that we have online. This can be read online and there is a digital footprint there that can be read as well. What kind of effect is that having?

I also have a fear outside of the area of reading negative messages on social media in terms of how interpersonal skills are developing for children in the education system, that is, how they speak to each other and how people approach each other. All too often we see the medium of communication is through technology and is very technology focused. What kind of effect is that having on interpersonal skills or on communication? That goes back to the mental health sphere again in that the interpersonal communication is not there. It is across a medium of younger people feeling more comfortable texting than speaking face to face. Are we losing the art of conversation where grey areas and nuances can be viewed or seen as opposed to a conversation being labelled or put in a box because it fits the technology or the algorithm it faces? I would be interested in the witnesses' views on that.