Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to address the issue of social media. No one can dispute the fact that social media has changed our lives beyond recognition. It has now become the centre of many people's lives, so much so that it is now a medically recognised addiction. In fewer than 14 years it has morphed from being a way of expanding our social network to being a means to destroy people's credibility, reputations and lives at the simple touch of a button. Social media has changed life as we knew it. It has impacted on politics across the world. Some of this change has been positive, but for the most part turning the political system into a free-for-all has proved to be damaging and unsettling.

For the vast majority of politicians, having a presence on social media is almost as vital as having their names on the ballot paper. It is crucial for public representatives to be in touch with people and communities. However, no person, whether in public life or otherwise, should be the target of lies and abuse. This is happening more and more across the world and, sadly, it is also happening here in Ireland.

A clear example of this was the most recent general election. It is widely known that social media platforms were used to target and undermine parties and candidates. Fake profiles were created on social media with the sole purpose of spinning lies and false information intended to cause maximum damage. Reports of certain political groupings encouraging their supporters to target other candidates by posting negative and false comments were rampant. This did not simply happen on the usual platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. There were chatrooms on a number of sites where keyboard warriors, using monikers to disguise their identities, tore apart the political and personal lives of candidates. For the most part, the comments held as much water as a sieve, but how many voters would have taken the time to check the veracity of the information?

Social media, if left unmonitored, can whip up support for almost anything. Lies and truth compete for the attention of the public. It has happened time and time again throughout this pandemic. Cleverly worded false information has put innumerable lives at risk. Governments across the globe have been accused of using the pandemic to gain control over peoples' lives. Supposedly scientific articles have falsely informed people that mask-wearing is unnecessary. Protests and riots have been organised at the drop of a hat in major cities with crowds screaming demands for freedom from restrictions.

Social media is now the most powerful weapon of our age. It encourages the right to freedom of expression. When will it protect the rights of people who are victimised or misled by lies? This Government has taken commendable action in bringing forward legislation to make the sharing of inappropriate images of women on the Internet punishable by a prison sentence. We must not stop there. We must not forget other victims. Cyber-abuse in all its forms must be legislated for and stamped out.

See this speech in context