TikTok has been asked for a “full account” about why so much content of dangerous driving can be found on its platform. 

Following Sunday's crash in Kildare, in which five teenagers died, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said many young people were driving dangerously for "“social media likes”.

In a statement to Newstalk, Coimisiún na Meán said they are “in close contact with An Garda Síochána” and are determined to obtain answers from the social media giant. 

“Coimisiún na Meán has contacted TikTok to seek a full account of how they are dealing with these issues, including how they are dealing with reports of illegal content and how they are applying their own community guidelines,” a spokesperson said. 

“We are also looking for information on whether TikTok have introduced or scaled up proactive monitoring or additional human review of content or accounts. 

“We are also inquiring whether they have reported any relevant information or suspicion of criminal activity to An Garda Síochána.” 

On The Claire Byrne Show, Newstalk Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly said she opened her phone this morning and the first video that popped up in her feed was of joyriding. 

“I clicked on that profile and I saw multiple posts with stolen cars and bikes,” she recalled. 

“As I scrolled through other videos of that nature appeared and then a TikTok screen prompting me to find in quotes, related content appeared with in quotes, others searched for Lucky Dip, Dublin M50, Lucky Dip, Joyriders M50, Joyriders Dublin 2026, M50 Joyriders trend.

“When we contacted TikTok yesterday afternoon as to why content of this nature is still appearing on the platform, despite clear policies by the company to remove content that glorifies violence or promotes crimes, we were simply asked for examples of the content.”

Ms Kelly noted that social media companies already restrict what content teenagers, which means they can also restrict the type of material that adults access as well. 

“We have seen the social media companies introducing restrictions and sort of boundaries for under 16s,” she said. 

“If you are under 16 on Instagram today, for example, you will not see content relating to eating disorders.

“There are certain hashtags, certain types of content that are instantly banned for anyone on a teen account - so, we know technologically this is possible. 

“My question is why, when you're looking at this content and you're seeing the trend of the hashtags that are there, are they not instantly taken down?” 

Ms Kelly urged politicians to “lift the bonnet” of social media companies and “get real” about the dangers some content poses to law and order in wider society. 

“Understand what's being posted and force the companies to take action before another tragedy, another life is lost - because it's all happening in broad daylight,” she said. 

Main image:  The crash on the M9. Picture by: Eamon Farrell/RollingNews.ie