Mick Clifford: Screens corrupt primal connections

Proper regulation, enforcement, and selective bans are all positive developments, but can problems generated by negative online activity be tackled exclusively by governments or transnational bodies?

The damage being done to developing minds will not become clear for years.

This week another warning was issued to technology companies. The new media regulator, Coimisiun na Mean published an online safety code which will bring an “end to the era of social media self-regulation”. Apparently.

The legally binding code will regulate content of those companies whose EU headquarters are in Dublin. These include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. All will be obliged to take measures to protect users from harmful content or face fines of up to €20m. If past form is anything to go by, enforcement is likely to be less than robust. But we live in hope.