logo
Commissioner McGrath raises 'SkinnyTok' concerns with TikTok CEO

Commissioner McGrath raises 'SkinnyTok' concerns with TikTok CEO

RTÉ News​30-05-2025
Michael McGrath, EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, has held an online meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Chew.
In a statement, Mr McGrath described it as a constructive meeting during which a number of items were discussed including data protection and data flows, consumer protection, the Commission's plans for a Digital Fairness Act, the protection of minors online, and plans for a European Democracy Shield.
The Commissioner also raised the trend known as 'SkinnyTok', the social media hashtag which promotes often dangerous advice on weight-loss and dieting.
"I raised with Mr Chew the dangers posed to minors in particular by the social media hashtag SkinnyTok," Mr McGrath said.
"I reaffirmed that the protection of minors online is a top priority of the European Commission and there are clear obligations on all social media platforms to ensure children are safe online."
The risks associated with TikTok's algorithms are already part of the investigation opened by the European Commission against TikTok in February 2024.
This investigation is specifically addressing TikTok's mitigation measures in relation to harmful algorithmic recommendation, including in relation to eating disorders.
"For his part, Mr Chew said TikTok is taking the matter very seriously and is engaging with Commission officials in the context of the application of the Digital Services Act to ensure the required mitigation is in place," Mr McGrath said.
"This is a live investigation which will take its course in the normal way but I felt it was important to reiterate the Commission's strong stance on child protection," he added.
In a statement to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, TikTok said it has "strict rules" against dangerous weight loss behaviours on its platform, and the app offers several wellbeing resources, ways to connect with experts.
It added that for teenage viewers, some content with harmful body ideals is age restricted.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Richard Hogan: Being connected all the time doesn't always help loneliness
Richard Hogan: Being connected all the time doesn't always help loneliness

Irish Examiner

time8 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Richard Hogan: Being connected all the time doesn't always help loneliness

A study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre found that Ireland has the highest rate of loneliness of all European countries. For such a small country, it is surprising that we should have such a prevalence of loneliness among our population. There have been a number of studies looking into loneliness. The World Health Organization recently said that teenage girls are the loneliest group in the world, and the Surgeon General in America classified loneliness as a new epidemic. In this modern world of extreme individuality and technology, something is getting left behind — us. Of course, you can be alone and feel like you're connected to everything, and then be at a party full of people and experience a profound sense of aching loneliness. In my experience, loneliness refers to the lack of mattering in your life. If we feel like our social connections are not strong, and that people don't respect us or see us, we can feel incredibly lonely. Every day, I hear young people tell me, in my clinic, that they feel irrelevant — like they don't even matter. They talk about themselves as if they are minor characters in a play. The pain this is causing them is difficult to sit with. We must understand what is causing such loneliness. Ireland has the second youngest population in Europe, with 60% of our population under 45 years of age. The median age in Ireland is 38.8. These statistics are important if we want to figure out how to do better as a country and develop policies that are loneliness-sensitive. I am currently carrying out a study into Gen Z, and my data so far has found that they are lonely, not going out socialising as much as previous generations, and are stuck on their phones. Young men are telling me that they would not go over and chat to a girl they found attractive at a bar, for fear of seeming 'creepy'. A heavy reliance on dating apps has made meeting someone transactional. If I looked at the following stats, I might swipe left: 'Loves Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, long walks, and doesn't care for cooking.' Yet, we are married and have three beautiful children. The brutal accuracy with which we are trying to connect with each other does not allow for anyone different or interesting to come into our lives. I'm seeing this in my research with Gen Z. Another aspect of this loneliness issue in Ireland is how the Government attempts to address the trend. All the research shows us that loneliness damages both physical and mental health. It can cause early death, cardiovascular issues, suicidality, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. So, it is in the government's interest to fix this problem — and it should be achievable in such a small country. The Government's policy of 'social prescribing' involves the provision of non-clinical community services. However, these services help individuals to manage their loneliness but don't deal with the root causes. Rurality and the lack of transport and infrastructure in low-density areas is another serious issue. We have people living in rural Ireland who are essentially cut off from their community. If our government is serious about tackling this issue, we need to address it as a matter of urgency. We know that connecting to our community is vitally important for our health, and yet there are people in rural Ireland unable to go to the local shop because there is absolutely zero transport to bring them there. I think when we analyse something like loneliness, we immediately think about teenagers and technology, and we forget about people who might be elderly, living in low-density areas, who have only the tramp of the milkman or postman to keep them company. We must do better by people living in rural Ireland. We must invest in them. Loneliness is something we all feel from time to time, but there is something happening in Ireland that is causing a profound sense of being alone. I don't think we spend enough on private and public healthcare. Low expenditure in these domains, research shows, is linked with higher country-level loneliness. We must do better. I also think we rely too heavily on commercial pathways — such as cafés and shopping malls — for teenagers to connect. We do not provide them with enough places to go and socialise that are fun and healthy. They quite literally have nowhere to go. With all this talk about who will be the next President of this great country, we need someone who understands the issues facing Ireland and who is strong enough to try and implement change by engaging with the government and advocating for those who do not have a voice in our society. I sincerely hope it isn't some fading star looking to have their ego stroked, or a politician who thinks it might be a nice way to end their career. We need someone vibrant and strong, with a deep love for this country and its people. Rural Ireland is such a beautiful place. It is what makes this country so special. But we have to do better by the people living there, so that they are connected and able to join their community. For such a small country, we are essentially one big community — we should be more connected to each other. The Government must deliver on their Roadmap for Social Inclusion, but also start to invest in our people so they are not lonely.

Explainer: Are we any clearer on the EU-US trade deal agreed at the weekend, and what happens next?
Explainer: Are we any clearer on the EU-US trade deal agreed at the weekend, and what happens next?

Irish Independent

timea day ago

  • Irish Independent

Explainer: Are we any clearer on the EU-US trade deal agreed at the weekend, and what happens next?

A. They are. The White House and the European Commission have each published a 'fact sheet' setting out more details in the framework deal. The most important point from an Irish point of view is confirmation that the tariff on exports of pharmaceutical products from Europe to the US will be 15pc. The multinationals based here, such as Pfizer and Eli Lilly, export about €40bn of pharma to the US each year.

Cork leading the charge against skin cancer with free suncream dispensers deployed by the Council
Cork leading the charge against skin cancer with free suncream dispensers deployed by the Council

Irish Independent

time2 days ago

  • Irish Independent

Cork leading the charge against skin cancer with free suncream dispensers deployed by the Council

Cork City Council has been urged to contact the EU to reclassify suncream as essential, citing high costs and rising skin cancer rates in Ireland. A Cork man is trying to convince the European Commission to eliminate VAT from suncreams and creams with SPF protection. Currently, suncream is classified as a non-essential item under EU VAT law, and is therefore subject to the standard rate of 23%. That means, for example, on a 200ml bottle of Piz Buin sun lotion, which retails at €14 at a major high-street pharmacy, €3.22 goes to tax.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store