Social media is ‘the new crack cocaine’, ruining relationships

A LEADING digital educator has branded social media the “new crack cocaine” which could jeopardise real-life human relationships.

Naomh McElhatton warned that people need to educate themselves on using social media and digital devices in moderation.

Speaking about Irish people and excessive social media consumption, she said: “Social media addiction is the new crack cocaine of the digital age.

“It’s sad that for some people their identities are carved by virtual audiences,” said the director of digital education consultancy Smart NI, based in Northern Ireland.

According to the latest Ipsos MRBI social networking tracker report, adults are becoming increasingly dependent on social media sites. About 64pc of Irish people have a Facebook account, with 71pc of those admitting to checking it daily.

Figures from itstimetologoff.com show 80pc of smartphone users say checking their phone is the first thing they do in the morning. It has also been revealed that the average user logs 2.15 hours a day on social media.

Ms McElhatton made the comments ahead of this year’s TechConnect Live, which takes place at the RDS main arena on May 30.

TechConnect Live is Ireland’s largest SME-focused business networking and information event, bringing together emerging talent in the SME sector and experienced entrepreneurs.

Consent

Meanwhile, leading Irish scientists have called on Ministers Charlie Flanagan and Denis Naughten to clarify their position regarding disclosure of important information pertaining to the Irish digital age of consent. Professors Barry O’Sullivan, of Insight Centre for Data Analytics in University College Cork, and Mary Aiken, of the Geary Institute for Public Policy in University College Dublin, both made representations.

They say they are very concerned that important information from expert groups has not been declared or made public concerning the Irish digital age of consent debate and legislative process.

They are calling on the leadership of the Opposition parties and on all of the Independent TDs to support their campaign to keep the Irish digital age of consent at 16.

Some lobby groups have proposed reducing the age to 13.

“It has just come to our attention that in March this year the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland made a submission to Ministers Flanagan and Naughten to support the Irish digital age of consent being set at 16,” said Mr O’Sullivan and Ms Aiken. “We are now urgently calling on the ministers in question to clarify the position regarding this information, and to explain why it was not disclosed to inform the debate. We believe it is totally unacceptable and questionable practice to cite various lobby groups proposing 13, without fully disclosing support for 16,” they added.

“We have always maintained that the consultation process regarding the Irish digital age of consent was not comprehensive or complete – it would now appear that our concerns are well founded.”

Separately, parents are being warned to be vigilant about their children playing video games that are age-inappropriate.

Grainia Long, from the ISPCC, said children sometimes call Childline because a game they had played with an older relative or friend made them uncomfortable or scared.

“Some children will call us and say, ‘I don’t want to play that game’. This is all about how the parents react and talk to children,” she said.

‘It’s sad that for some people their identities are carved by virtual audiences’