Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad I made it in time. There is much discussion at the moment about children and access to social media. Clearly, Ireland is a bit of a laggard with respect to how we are dealing with this issue. However, something we should implement from fourth class onwards in national schools is a cyber awareness campaign. This would include Internet hygiene and the use of the Internet. We should not be afraid of using any resources that are available for research purposes. I have huge reservations about social media. I regard most of it now as a cesspit. I am delighted to say I am no longer a member of the X fraternity. I have no time whatsoever for the nonsense that goes on there and the attacks on decent people who work in this establishment and on other public figures. Going back to my time in the teachers union, two 11-year-olds took their own lives as a result of cyber-bullying. It would be helpful if we were to have the Minister for Education and Youth here for a debate on the impact of the cyber world on young children as they pass through the education system. Perhaps the Deputy Leader would try to organise that?