Irish Medical Organisation has raised concerns about the dangers that what it described as ‘toxic’ social media apps pose to vulnerable young people.
Professor Matthew Sadlier, Vice-President and Chair of the Consultants’ Committee of the IMO, told a medical conference in Dublin that the combination of certain app features, algorithm-driven content and the widespread use of smartphones has created a deeply harmful online environment, reports RTE.
Professor Sadlier was addressing a meeting of the Standing Committee of European Doctors, which represents national medical organisations across Europe and covers more than 1.7 million doctors in 36 countries.
He said it was crucial that the Irish Government uses its upcoming EU presidency to raise awareness about the risks faced by young people online and to push for stronger regulation of the digital space, reports RTE.
“We are living in an age of almost non-existent social media regulation, which has created a truly toxic online landscape,” Professor Sadlier said.
“Not only can children and adults alike access at will the most malevolent and dangerous content, but certain social media apps by their design reward that behaviour by directing users towards ever more extreme content,” reports RTE.
“It is ironic that, having been marketed as useful, positive platforms to stay connected with friends and family, social media apps are exposing young people to a wide range of harms including addictive algorithms, sexual violence and gambling,” he added, reports RTE.
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