Paul Murphy: Clean Up Social Media - Stop Toxic Algorithms
Paul Murphy challenges the government response to social media harms, arguing that turning under‑16s off platforms will not stop addictive design or dangerous content. He says experts and committees recommend disabling recommender algorithms at source and calls for EU‑level action while flagging AI-related job impacts.
Main point
Paul Murphy tells the Dail that declaring social media a public health issue is meaningless unless policy addresses the algorithms that drive harm. He argues that simply barring under‑16s will not remove addictive design, the manosphere, or pro‑eating disorder content from platforms.
Why age limits fail
Murphy cites evidence from Australia to warn that age verification can be bypassed and cannot be relied on to keep children safe. He repeats recommendations from the Media Committee and the AI Committee that the more effective fix is to remove toxic recommender systems that prioritise profit over safety.
Policy response and EU approach
Responding to the Taoiseach's comments, Murphy urges an EU approach while noting national measures are under consideration. He contrasts different models being discussed - including the Australian approach - and stresses that company behaviour must change rather than shifting responsibility onto users.
Jobs and labour issues
Murphy also raises concerns about AI and jobs, questioning whether job losses are caused by AI itself or by corporate investment choices, and calls for employers to engage with unions. He reminds listeners that labour law and workers' rights still apply and that proper engagement with unions is necessary.
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I agree entirely. Taoiseach has said that social media is the public health issue of our time. It's nice that he's discovered it after voting against the bill to ban recommender algorithms just a few months ago. But do you think that this public health issue just stops as soon as you turn 16? That you're suddenly immune to addictive design, to infinite scroll, to the manosphere, to pro-eating disorder content being spewed out at you? All of that will remain on social media if under-16s are barred from it, because that's what's core to the big tech's business model. We know from Australia that many under-16s find it easy to bypass the age verification. We can't rely on it to keep our kids safe. The answer, it's very, very clear. It's what the Media Committee recommended, it's what the AI Committee recommended, it's what every expert recommends. Clean up social media at source by turning off the toxic algorithms, that big tech profit. Deputy Murphy, I think I've answered some of what you said there. It is about what people can have access to and shouldn't have access to, and the companies have to respond. That's why I think an EU approach would be the optimal approach. We will act ourselves, obviously. We already have significant laws in place, by the way, but this is moving it on. It's interesting, the United Kingdom have made announcements. We will look at the Australian model and so forth. AI strategy, I think it was said that jobs were not mentioned. Jobs is critical here. I did mention jobs, but the point, anyway, you're making is incovalent. I think you were saying the laid off. Again, we have to be careful, too. Some companies are saying it's AI, but is it AI in all cases? In other words, is it the application of AI is causing job losses, for instance, or is it decisions to invest hugely in AI and then looking for resources elsewhere within an organisation, within a company? It could be a bit of both. It is surprising that a lot of the workers are under two years. At best, that suggests fairly poor human resource planning. Obviously, we have labour law here. There are rights and entitlements that workers have, but we will again work with that situation. I'm not familiar with the very specifics of this, but I think there are labour laws governing some aspects of this. They should meet with the union and they should engage with the union on this. I think I've discussed most of the issues that
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