Elizabeth Farries Interviewed by Newstalk on the Reckless Driving Trends on Social Media

18.08.2025. Centre Director Elizabeth Farries joined Andrea Gilligan on Newstalk‘s Lunchtime Live to discuss what Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has called reckless behavior linked to dangerous driving for social media likes.

This comment goes beyond the tragedy that occurred on the M9 on early hours of Sunday morning which saw the death of 5 teenagers and serious injury of 3 women and a child when a vehicle drove down the wrong side of the motorway. Commisioner Kelly’s comment highlights ongoing social media trends where individuals across the country engaging in reckless driving for likes and clout. Dr Farries highlighted the layered and complex implications of this issue, with social media platforms becoming a key consideration where dangerous and life-threatening trends are not only shared, but encouraged.

As Dr Farries states: “social media platforms tend to incentivize, amplify and even normalize risky behaviors. The platforms are designed around visibility and engagement, so that content which is dramatic or transgressive or risky can attract attention.” This is in spite of EU policy that legislates for platforms to address and improve on how their various channels may support or encourage systemic risks. These policies place the onus on social media platforms to mitigate risks posed by dangerous content, yet it is clear that enforcement is questionable and requires further investigation.

Our thoughts go out to the injured and bereft families at this time.

Listen to the full piece here.