PROHIBITING the use of smartphones for youths under 16-years-of-age was the action called for by Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin this week.
Cllr Galvin described it as “frightening” at Monday’s meeting of Limerick City and County Council (LCCC), what children have access to on their smartphones. He proposed that the local authority calls on the Government to enact legislation to prohibit the use of smartphones (mobile phones with access to internet and social media) among youths under 16.
“I was at a public meeting in Newcastle West two months ago, and to say that I left frightened would be an understatement. There was one a principal of a school, and the other a doctor, both parents of young families, and what they have found out is frightening,” Cllr Galvin said.
“It is frightening what our children have access to on the internet, on the phones we all have in front of us. The stories they told me, I actually left the room that night, and I consider myself a tough guy, fairly frightened what our children can access from a young age.
“Young women talking selfies, taking photographs in the nude and sending them to their friends and they end up on the internet. Young boys are watching porn and they’re going out treating women the way they see when they’re young from the filth they’re exposed to.”
The children of today, Cllr Galvin believes, are being destroyed by smartphones, which he says should not be given to them until they are 16.
Cllr Sarah Kiely (FG) formally seconded her party colleague’s proposal. As a mother, Cllr Kiely said she has seen firsthand the mental health impacts on young people from access to social media.
“We’re the primary educator of our children, but we’re also role models. We need to take a strong look at ourselves as well. It’s very easy in this job to become a target, but it’s also very easy to become a role model. We need to understand that if it’s unrealistic, it’s probably not true.
“And before any of us type, or any of us encourage our children or young people in our family to type, we need to ask three questions – Is it true? Is it helpful? And is it kind? If not, don’t do it,” Cllr Kiely pleaded.
Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara pointed out that it is parents responsibility at the end of the day. He also took the view that social media companies need to do more to keep children safe online by regulating dangerous content.
