Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise today in response to a UN report yesterday that highlighted the fact that Irish teens are among the least happy in the developed world. Irish teenagers are among the least happy in high-income countries, despite leading the world in academic skills. This report also highlights that Ireland's youth suicide rate was found to be above the international average.

Two debates have happened in this Chamber recently. I wish to explore the impact of social media on our younger people, especially our school-going children. The kids in school nowadays are social media natives; not like the rest of us, who are potential social media immigrants. They have grown up with this and it is something they have always experienced. The impact of its use is something on which we must have a debate about in this House. Prolonged used of social media is linked to depression, anxiety, isolation and poor body image.

Despite the downsides, there are positives regarding social media. We owe it to the next generation, the social media natives, to have a conversation in this House and talk to them about the long-term impacts of social media on their future lives and the benefits of same. I call on the Acting Leader to arrange a debate to discuss that, if possible.