University of Galway academics urge tougher rules on social media to protect young users

Two University of Galway journalism professors contributed to an Oireachtas report on regulating social media for young people. Their submission supported stronger protections enforced by platforms in Ireland. The focus was on Very Large Online Platforms and their role as central infrastructure for political debate in Ireland. The professors proposed five actions, including turning off recommender algorithms such as autoplay videos, continuous feeds, algorithmic recommendations, and persistent notifications. They also sought an expansion of Coimisiún na Meán’s powers, including investigative powers and levy controls for platforms that breach the Online Safety Code. The Online Safety and Media Regulation Act requires platforms to remove illegal or unsafe content once identified.

"Ireland holds some of the strongest legal powers over online platforms in Europe, but those powers have not been used quickly or routinely enough. Online abuse, scam advertising, and coordinated harassment are raising the personal cost of taking part in public life, and the people most affected are too often left to carry that cost themselves."

"Their submission centred on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and their influence as "central infrastructure of [the] political debate in Ireland". Dr Felle and Dr Bseiso proposed five actions to the Committee, including turning off recommender algorithms such as autoplay videos, continuous feeds, algorithmic recommendations and persistent notifications."

"Additionally, the academics sought an expansion of Coimisiún na Meán's powers, specifically investigative powers and levy controls for platforms breaching the Online Safety Code. The Code was established by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act holding platforms responsible for user safety. If illegal or unsafe content is identified by a platform, it is legally required to remove it."

Read at Irish Independent