Stronger online safety measures needed to stop the rise of toxic masculinity – Neville

More needs to be done to address toxic masculinity on social media, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, said stronger online safety measures and a whole of society approach are needed to combat this issue.

“This St Patrick’s Day we saw the worst of toxic masculinity on display in Conor McGregor being invited to speak on the world stage.

“I know from speaking to parents that they are worried about the impact of these social media figures on young men. These figures promote hyper-aggressive, misogynistic, and often violent forms of masculinity.

“We need to introduce stronger online safety measures, educational reforms, and greater support for parents and communities to protect children from this issue.

“The glorification of dominance, aggression, and the subjugation of women, through social media must be ended.

“Expanding digital literacy and media awareness in schools is essential in addressing the rise in toxic masculinity so that young people can separate the truth from online misinformation.

“We need a whole-of-society approach to this. We need the government, Coimisiún na Meán, schools, families, and social media companies to work together to combat this growing issue.

“Fine Gael and An Tánaiste Simon Harris have long advocated for stronger online safety measures for children. Parents can be reassured we are doing everything we can to protect children and young people online.

“We need to have serious conversations about how we can tackle the rise of toxic masculinity and its detrimental influence on our young people”, concluded Deputy Neville.