Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 30 April 2026

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality

Safety and Well-being of Children Online: Discussion (Resumed)

2:00 am

Mr. Charlie Grant:

I would say "Yes", so long as things like iMessage and that are still around. As Noah noted, that is one of the main points of communication between friends and loved ones. As long as that is not broken, absolutely. It is a waste of time. I can understand the likes of YouTube, which I know is social media, but it is not as bad as the likes of TikTok because we could waste hours on TikTok. The other day I was waiting to do my homework, and I decided that I would sit down and watch one or two TikToks. Two hours passed and I was wondering where the time went. By then, I had to get ready for training. I was thinking about how I would have to get home and shower after. I was late getting to bed because I had to sit up to do my homework because I wasted all that time on TikTok.

That is what people miss out on - that time. It is not even just timekeeping for homework but also going outside and seeing friends in person. You give that up by spending so much time on social media. "Yes" would be my answer.