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A Fine Gael TD has criticized Facebook for allowing anti-vaccination “propaganda” to be aimed at parents.<\/p>\nA Fine Gael TD has criticized Facebook for allowing anti-vaccination “propaganda” to be aimed at parents.<\/p>\n
Kate O’Connell said they urgently need to address the issue as children’s lives are being put at risk.<\/p>\n
It comes as the latest figures show from UNICEF that cases of measles in Ireland last year increased by almost 250%, while cases of mumps have also gone up by 540% this year compared to last year.<\/p>\n
Both have vaccines that are available, with most children receiving two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, and Deputy O’Connell said Facebook are feeding into the misinformation.<\/p>\n
The Dublin TD, who is also a pharmacist, told Newstalk: “[Anti-vaccination information] has resulted in a decline in vaccination – which we have seen globally, but in Ireland in particular.<\/p>\n
“If we see it emerging again to any great extent, we will have reduced herd immunity and [it] will have serious impacts on our population’s health.”<\/p>\n
Any claims of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism have been widely discredited.<\/p>\n
In a statement earlier this week, UNICEF Ireland’s Peter Power said: \u201cMeasles may be the disease, but, all too often, the real infection is misinformation, mistrust and complacency.”<\/p>\n
Ms O’Connell suggested social media companies should make it very clear to users what is peer-reviewed data and what is opinion or sponsored content.<\/p>\n
She added: “I wouldn’t be suggesting we try to stop people’s freedom of speech, but [instead make sure] that it’s very, very clear to users the source of the data.”<\/p>\n
In a statement last month, Facebook said it had taken steps to “reduce the distribution of health-related misinformation”.<\/p>\n
However, it admitted it had more to do – adding that it is working on additional changes.<\/p>\n
A number of social networks have already taken action against such content.<\/p>\n