Many of us in this Chamber are extremely concerned about the reactionary, right-wing, conspiracy and misogynistic content that has become increasingly popular in recent years on social media, and which is starting to filter in and contribute to societal issues in Ireland. Such views have unfortunately always been present in society. However, due to social media it is now possible to create and spread anti-progressive views more widely and rapidly than ever before.

I bring to the Taoiseach's attention a recent study from DCU's anti-bullying centre, which has shown that algorithms used by social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok are rapidly amplifying misogynistic and male supremacist content, as well as right-wing and reactionary conspiracy content, much of which is also anti-transgender. The researchers on the study found that every single male social media account was sent masculinist, anti-feminist and other extremist content irrespective of whether they sought out this content. What is even more concerning is that they all received this content within the first 23 minutes of the experiment. This is extremely frightening and opens our eyes to the type of toxic and problematic content young boys and men in Ireland are exposed to every day. TikTok has more than 1.5 billion active monthly users, almost half of whom are under the age of 25. Recent statistics show a concerning increase in the incidence of sexual and gender-based harassment in schools and among young people in Ireland. According to Women's Aid, there has been an increase in the number of women reporting experiences of both online and offline sexual and gender-based harassment. There is no doubt but that there is a link between the growing abuse faced by women and girls and the recent rise in recent male supremacist content online. It has been shown that such content has also served as a gateway into far-right spaces. The study shows that many male accounts were also recommended reactionary, right-wing content with a focus on anti-trans and anti-woke content. A few were even shown conspiracy content, often regarding large-scale government control. This is incredibly alarming and it is clear that the recent rise of the far right in Ireland goes hand in hand with the rise of this content on TikTok and YouTube.

The DCU study noted that anti-feminist, male supremacist and far-right narratives merged together into a seamless and mutually compatible set of talking points, collectively underpinned by the logic of conspiracy. The research paper is a worrying and disturbing read, and I was truly horrified to discover the type of content and messages that young Irish men are being exposed to. It really is no wonder that we are seeing the devastating effects of this in reality. There are messages like masculinity is under threat because of female empowerment and government brainwashing, that the idea of the family is threatened by LGBTQI+ rights or the suggestion that depression is not a real mental illness and it makes men weak are incredibly concerning. This is a serious problem and links in with earlier questions in the Chamber today. It is one that is only becoming more mainstream as well. How is the Taoiseach going to address it?

I thank Deputy Pringle for raising what he is right to say is an extraordinarily serious issue. Listening to his final words is a reminder of all of the progress we have been beginning to make as a society in destigmatising some issues and promoting equality. The risk of that being undone or damaged by dangerous online use of social media is pertinent. I met the DCU anti-bullying centre in my past capacity in government and I am grateful for the work it does. I will make it my business to familiarise myself with the report the Deputy has raised. Online safety for children, young people and all citizens is a key priority for the Government. I spoke to the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, about this as recently as today. It is an issue she takes seriously but all of Government and everybody in this House needs to take it seriously as well. That is why we passed the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 and it is why we established a new online safety and media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. There is no question but that there is an issue with people, and children in particular, being exposed to harmful online content. I do not think we can just leave it up to the companies to do the right thing, which is why we put a legislative basis in place. Protection of children has to be a key priority. Under the new legislation, Coimisiún na Meán is putting in place a binding online safety code that is particularly focused on ensuring the safety of children and young people from harmful online content.

As Ireland's digital services co-ordinator under the new EU Digital Services Act, Coimisiún na Meán supports the European Commission in the enforcement of its landmark regulation in respect of the largest services. This was major legislation at a European level. Coimisiún na Meán is now running a spot it, flag it, stop it campaign, that relates to harmful online content, including child sex abuse material. The campaign advises people to report it to the platforms or to hotline.ie, which is funded by the EU and Internet service providers. However, as I said, we need to go further.

The public consultation on online safety codes closed at the end of January and Coimisiún na Meán is currently analysing the feedback from it. The draft code sets out the actions video-sharing platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram must take to protect the interests of users and particularly of younger users. For the first time, in the draft code there are specific obligations around age verification, which is important. It also provides for requirements to operate effective risk-mitigation measures in relation to profiling algorithms and age-inappropriate recommendations, which are some of the issues the Deputy raised. Under our legislation, harmful online content includes online content linked to 45 criminal offences, including harassment and threats, and certain harmful content that is not linked to criminal offences, such as serious cyberbullying and the promotion of eating disorders, self-harm and suicide. Failure to comply with an online safety code can lead to the imposition of a significant financial sanction of up to €20 million or up to 10% of a company's turnover and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanction for company directors.

I thank the Taoiseach for his answer. The one thing we can do is to target the algorithms the companies use. Putting age profiles and barriers on accounts is grand but the algorithms are the problem and they are what we should be targeting. If we were serious about protecting young people, that is what we would be doing.

In his response, the Taoiseach mentioned the ban against harmful content and the online safety code. How many prosecutions have taken place under those at this stage? It would be interesting to see how they are actually happening, how they are performing and if they are performing. It is plain to be seen that although the companies' headquarters are all based in Ireland and they have data centres here, they use algorithms to target young people. We can act to make it happen.

The approach we need to take is to hit them where it hurts, that is, in their pockets and on their financial balance sheet and that is what we intend to do under legislation I imagine the Deputy probably supported, as did many people across the House. It is not only about asking the companies nicely whether they wish to do things. This is far too serious an issue for our children, our country, many public policy areas and, on occasion, for democracy. Social media can bring about incredible benefits. I am known to use some of the platforms. However, there also need to be protections in place and legal obligations on these companies with sanctions if they do not comply. That is what we intend to do through Coimisiún na Meán and turning these draft safety codes to full online safety codes with full legislative effect, shortly.

In answer to the prosecutions question, the codes are not in yet. That is the truthful answer. The consultation finished at the end of January. Coimisiún na Meán is now analysing the feedback and the process of progressing it is ongoing and needs to proceed with urgency. There are, however, a number of European Commission investigations under the Digital Services Act, including a live investigation into what is called TikTok's recommender system and whether the algorithm protects children. Finally, I assure Deputy Pringle that in the draft safety codes the issue of the profiling algorithm will be addressed.