Dr Martin Daly, a GP serving Ballygar for over 30 years and candidate for Roscommon-Galway in the upcoming General Election, is calling for urgent action to address the rise in excessive social media use and online bullying among Irish youth.
His statement follows a recent World Health Organization (WHO ) report revealing a marked increase in European adolescents struggling with overuse of social media and gaming, which are linked to serious risks for mental health, academic performance, and peer relationships.
The WHO report indicates that the percentage of adolescents displaying unhealthy social media habits rose from 7% to 11% between 2018 and 2022. Alongside gaming addictions, where a further 12% of young people exhibit warning signs, compulsive social media use is becoming a critical factor in the lives of Irish youth, with issues of online bullying compounding mental health impacts. Young people facing these challenges experience symptoms such as preoccupation, difficulty in controlling time online, distress when unable to connect, and negative effects on relationships.
“These issues are particularly severe for young girls and early teens,” Dr Daly emphasised, “with many experiencing online bullying, which has a devastating effect on their self-esteem, increases feelings of isolation, and can lead to depression, anxiety, and academic struggles. Digital engagement should empower our youth, not compromise their mental health or make them vulnerable to bullying and harassment,” he said.
Dr Daly added that there is a need for a proactive stance on this issue.
“Strengthening regulation of social media, enforcing age limits, boosting digital literacy, and providing robust support systems for parents, schools, and the young people affected by online harassment.”
The WHO study highlighted that boys face higher risks for online gaming addiction, leading to effects on relationships and school performance.
But Dr Daly stressed that both boys and girls are increasingly vulnerable to social media’s darker aspects, including cyberbullying. “Social media and gaming can offer positive experiences,” Dr Daly stated, “but the challenge lies in ensuring these platforms don’t become sources of harm. We must take steps to reduce excessive use and address bullying, which increasingly threaten the wellbeing of our young people.”
Dr Daly advocates for a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach that includes digital literacy education, enforced age restrictions on social media, and targeted mental health resources to support today’s youth.
He also stresses the need for stricter regulation of social media content and tighter oversight of the companies that operate these platforms.
“Social media companies must be held accountable for harmful content and lax moderation that allow cyberbullying, inappropriate material, and addictive features to affect young users,” Dr Daly said.
These combined measures, he believes, will empower young people to navigate social media safely, recognise and report bullying, and seek help when needed. He urged the government, healthcare providers, educators, and regulators to work together, adding, “The time to act is now. We need all hands on deck to protect our young people’s mental health, support them in finding a healthy balance between online and offline life, and shield them from the impacts of bullying and exploitative online practices.”
