Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I join colleagues in extending sympathies to those who lost their lives in India and to Deputy Conway-Walsh on the loss of her mother.

Will the Tánaiste tell me what steps the Government is taking in relation to the effects social media is having on our under-16s? What meetings have happened with social media companies? This is an issue I campaigned vigorously on during the local and general elections. I think identity verification across the board would be welcome but, as a start for our under-16s, I am happy to see the Tánaiste has been talking about the impact of this issue on our young citizens in relation to bullying, self-esteem, etc. I like grassroots campaigns like that of Councillor Fergal Nealon in Strandhill, where parents are joining a pact, but I also feel the Government has a responsibility to restrict social media for under-16s, along with education campaigns and engaging with social media companies.

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