Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise an issue that emerged in an RTE documentary entitled "Generation Sex" last night, on which some of today's newspapers have reported. It was indicated on the documentary that children as young as nine or ten years of age were viewing online hard core pornography and that shocked parents had absolutely no idea how to control what their children were viewing. Professor Roche of NUI Maynooth said young people were struggling to cope with the tsunami of sexual images in day-to-day life. The problem with the Internet is that it is instantaneous and now with Wi-Fi so easily available in public places, young people can view pornography on their phones. We should all be deeply concerned by this development and the effects it may have in the future. Will it contribute to greater child sexual abuse and violence against women? I am told that porn is highly addictive. This issue needs to be addressed with children in primary schools and need to educate parents on how to talk to their children about this issue. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate on this issue with the Minister for Education and Skills because of the possible long-term implications for young people and society.