MEMBERS OF THE public and groups with an interest in the effects of the rise of social media use are being asked to air their views and concerns. And, appropriately, the submissions will be partly collected through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

A joint Oireachtas committee has launched a public consultation for submissions on how the use – or abuse – of social media has affected you.

As well as collecting those submissions, the Transport and Communications committee will explore “how the irresponsible use of social media channels might be curbed” in a series of hearings. These will take place in Leinster House on 6, 7 and 13 March.

The hearings are to give a platform for a debate on the subject – including cyber-bullying and “online harrassment” – as well as to hear ministerial input on what legislation might be considered to tackle these issues. They will also hear the views of representatives from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, which the committee considers to be “primary social media networks”.

Tom Hayes, Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South, is chairing the committee. He said:

Social media outlets are changing the way many of our citizens interact with one another. Some disquiet has accompanied the rise of social media, particularly in relation to the nature of abusive and unfettered commentary.

The submissions from “any individuals and groups with an interest in this area” will form part of the end report from the committee, which will contain recommendations to the Government on how to meet the challenges being thrown up by the evolving and increasing participation of Irish citizens on social media platforms.

If you would like to be part of the conversation, you can…

Make a submission through the Oireachtas Facebook page

Tweet suggestions to @OireachtasNews with the hashtag #jctcsubmission

Creating a YouTube video and send it to jctc@oireachtas.ie or tweet or post it on Facebook at the accounts mentioned above

Email your thoughts to jctc@oireachtas.ie

Post to Clerk, Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Submissions have to be received by 15 March 2013.