Boland criticises social media giants for allowing anti-LGBTQ+ comments

Fine Gael TD Grace Boland has criticised social media companies for allowing anti-LGBTQ+ comments to flourish on their platforms.

During a Dáil discussion on Pride, the Dublin Fingal West TD said “nobody should be subjected to harassment for championing and supporting inclusion.”

Swords councillor Luke Corkery was the subject of online abuse after posting a photo of a rainbow crossing installed by Fingal County Council.

The comments aimed at Corkery would land Northside People in legal trouble if they were published in print, but are allowed to stay up on social media platforms without any consequence for the owners.

The Elon Musk takeover of Twitter in 2022, and the progressive abandonment of Facebook following the Covid-19 pandemic, have led to a fractured social media experience for users, where conservatives use Facebook and Twitter, and progressives have moved to the likes of Bluesky and Reddit.

Boland said, “we see examples of people being targeted because of their sexuality, gender, race, religion or simply because they are perceived to be different.”

“Much of this is amplified online. Social media has brought many benefits but it has also provided a platform for those who seek to divide communities, spread misinformation and pit one group against another.”

Boland said, “too often, bad actors deliberately exploit people’s fears and frustrations for their own political, ideological or financial gain. We know this division generates clicks. Anger generates engagement. Outrage generates attention.”

Discussing the abuse aimed at councillor Corkery, Boland said, “people are entitled to have views on public policy. People are entitled to agree or disagree with decisions made by local authorities. However, what is not acceptable is the personal abuse, intimidation and hostility that can follow.”

The Fine Gael TD stated, “nobody should be subjected to harassment for championing and supporting inclusion, nobody should be subjected to harassment for who they are and nobody should be afraid to participate in public life because of the abuse they may receive online.”

She said, “the reality is that we do not have to agree with one another – in a democracy, we never will, and that is a good thing.”

“We will have different views on social issues, economic issues, local issues and national issues. Robust debate is healthy and essential, but there is a fundamental difference between disagreement and disrespect.”

Boland stated, “we can challenge ideas without attacking one another. We can argue passionately for our beliefs without dehumanising those who hold different views. We can stand firmly for our values while still recognising the humanity and dignity of others.”

“That is true when discussing Pride. It is true when discussing immigration. It is true when discussing housing. It is true when discussing the termination of pregnancy or any other issue that comes before this House. The tone we set here matters. The language we use here matters. The examples that we provide matter,” the Dublin Fingal West TD said.