Letter: Stormont could learn from the French who are setting the pace with social media ban for under 15-year-olds
A letter from Gerry Cullen:
I welcome the decision of French president Macron and the French government who in response to the concerns and fears of French parents, have moved to protect French children from the well documented dangers of social media platforms.
As from September 1, under 15-year-olds will be unable to access platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X and others.
Predictably, opposition to this policy has come from the far left and far right who, masquerading as proponents of free speech, see president Macron’s decision as a serious threat to their attempts to radicalise young minds with hateful antisemitism and Islamophobia. To them, the harmful effects of social media come secondary.
Here in Northern Ireland, far too many parents have seen the malign effects of social media on our children through vicious bullying, harassment, blackmailing and the predatory behaviour of deviant adults. The response of our Stormont government in contrast to the progressive actions of the French government has been futile and merely consists of obligatory calls on social media platforms to self-regulate.
I wish prime minister Burnham well and if he seeks to follow the French government’s leadership on this matter, I hope he extends social media protection for children to NI and not devolve the matter to the Stormont Assembly which has so far shown no constructive interest in this important matter.
Gerry Cullen, Independent Left, Dungannon