Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yet again, I stand here and ask whether the Leader could work with us to bring in the Minister with responsibility for children's cyber safety. We are sleepwalking through one of the biggest epidemics ever known here and the hugely negative impact social media is having on the youth and society. It is past time that Ireland recognised the damage caused every second of every day to children and teens who are allowed unmonitored access to these devices and the harmful apps associated with them.

How many more young lives have to be lost to social media and its challenges? How many further issues with mental health and self-harm do we have to face? How many more television series like "Adolescence" do we have to watch before we take ownership of the causes and harms? We need to protect children and their parents. I again ask that we bring in the Minister with responsibility for the safety of our children online to have statements on the matter.