Doctors back calls to ban social media use for under-16s

IMO said it was critically important that such plans are followed through upon, after recent comments by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly’s regarding social media and Minister for Education Norma Foley’s indication of a smartphone ban in schools.

Doctors have backed the Government’s calls to ban social media use for under-16s, and warned that smartphone usage among children and adolescents is “overwhelmingly destructive”.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said it was critically important that such plans are followed through upon, after recent comments by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly’s regarding social media and Minister for Education Norma Foley’s indication of a smartphone ban in schools.

The move from the Government comes in the wake of calls from the IMO earlier this year for a crackdown.

Professor Matthew Sadlier, chair of the Consultants’ Committee of the IMO, said: “As a society it is imperative that we urgently address a crisis that has dire ramifications on their mental and physical health.” 

Last week, Ms Foley said she is working on banning mobile phones in secondary schools.

Interruption to study

“I meet principals who tell me the mobile phone, even though students keep it in their bag, the beeping of it is an interruption to study,” she said. “It’s a continuous hum almost in the background that’s there.” 

Mr Donnelly, meanwhile, likened the damage caused to children by social media companies to smoking. He also described it as a “public health emergency” and said the Government needed to respond.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dr Sadlier said that every indicator of mental health and psychological wellbeing among teenagers and young adults has deteriorated since 2012 when social media use began to increase, and said it wasn’t too late to impose a ban.

"It is not enough to ask parents to shoulder this responsibility alone; the Government can and must intervene in order to level the playing field for all young people," he said.