Irish Medical Organisation Calls for Smartphone Ban for Children

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has called for a ban on smartphone usage for children under 16, labeling social media as a 'public health emergency'. The IMO's chairman, Prof Matthew Sadlier, emphasized the detrimental effects of smartphones on youth mental health, linking increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies to excessive social media use. This call aligns with proposals from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Education Minister Norma Foley for stricter regulations on smartphone use in schools. The IMO advocates for government intervention, as previous public health campaigns successfully reduced smoking rates. Medical experts argue that the rise in mental health issues among young people since 2012 necessitates urgent action against the pervasive influence of harmful content and addictive platform features. They highlight the need for a coordinated effort to protect children's mental and physical health.