Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today I wish to raise the issue of Facebook whistleblower, Frances Haugen, who has accused the social media giant of prioritising profit over safety. She claims that Facebook has realised that if it changes its algorithms to be safer, people will spend less time on their app and will click on fewer adverts and ultimately, Facebook will make less money. Facebook's own internal report shows clearly that certain content promoting eating disorders on Instagram is leading to negative self-image and poor mental health among young girls. Instead of removing this content, it is claimed that Facebook has promoted pages that glorify eating disorders to get more clicks and more money.

Yesterday, for a very short while, all of us were reminded of what a world without Facebook and Instagram looks like. Many people were lost without the apps but others were relieved of the constant anxiety it causes them. I put it to the Minister that making social media safer might not be a priority of Facebook but it needs to be a priority of the Government. Will the Minister outline what is being done to tackle it?

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