Boys should not be told by people with 'a toxic view' what masculinity is, Tánaiste says

Simon Harris has said he wants a blanket ban on under-16s using social media

Simon Harris: 'I'm just deeply concerned about what I nearly call the experimentation of the minds of our young people'. Picture: James Manning/PA

The definition of masculinity should not be “outsourced to people putting forward a toxic view”, Tánaiste Simon Harris has warned.

There was confusion in Government last month about whether a blanket ban on under-16s using social media was set to be announced. Mr Harris told the Irish Examiner during an interview in London that he does want to see it introduced.

Louis Theroux published a new documentary on Netflix last week, examining the “manosphere”. It interviewed some of the manosphere’s most prominent online figures, who spoke in misogynistic terms about gender roles.

The Tánaiste said that while he has not yet seen the Theroux documentary, he accepts that more must be done to educate Irish teens.

“I'm just deeply concerned about what I nearly call the experimentation of the minds of our young people,” he said. “I'm really worried about the impact of it from a digital media age, from a social media age.

“Social media, digital media is not going away, but we need to have an honest debate around appropriate usage, around algorithms, and around age.

“This isn't some sort of radical concept. We have ages for lots of things below which we believe partaking in activity isn't appropriate, alcohol being an obvious one."

He said that doesn't mean someone under the age of 18 doesn’t manage to get a drink, "but culturally we still say that [it is not permitted]".

“I don't say this to heap pressures on our schools, our schools do amazing work, and I think they're ahead of us.

“But I remember when I watched [the Netflix drama] Adolescence, I was Taoiseach at the time, and I suggested [that] I think that should be shown in every school."

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He said consideration needs to be given to how to promote a "positive view" around men and boys.

“So many men, so many boys are not in any way this sort of way. But this idea that you give out a false narrative about what masculinity means is concerning and should concern all of us.

“What should most significantly concern us is [that] we should not be outsourcing that to people putting forward a toxic view.”

Mr Harris said his “mind is very clear” and it remains his position there should be an age ban on social media. However, he acknowledged that the Government has not yet agreed this.

Legislation for a digital wallet, which will allow for age verification, is expected to come to Cabinet in the next month.