2026-05-07

13. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the actions being taken to protect young people online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32803/26]

I ask the Minister to outline the actions being taken by his Department to protect young people online.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an ábhair tábhachtaigh seo a chur os comhair na Dála ar maidin. Ireland's online safety framework includes the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, the EU Digital Services Act and the online safety code. That code requires that designated platforms restrict access to certain categories of content that could cause harm, including to children. Those include cyberbullying and promoting eating disorders, dangerous challenges, self-harm and suicide. The code came into full effect in July 2025 and applies EU-wide in respect of platforms established in the State, including many of the larger platforms. Failure to comply can lead to significant financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover. The Digital Services Act includes obligations to protect minors. Failure by a platform to comply can also lead to significant sanctions. However, the developing nature of digital services requires continuing vigilance. The protection of children and young people in the online world remains of the utmost importance to the Government. It is a key theme in our most recent national digital and AI strategy. Under the online safety code, designated platforms must use robust age assurance measures to prevent minors from accessing pornography or gratuitous violence. I am determined to make sure that this requirement can be implemented. Officials in my Department are working with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer on an age verification tool within Ireland's digital wallet. This will meet high standards of privacy, confirming to platforms only whether a person is over 18. I am exploring options for introducing restrictions on social media use for young people under 16. It is Government policy and my firm belief that there should be a restriction at EU level, and I have been engaging with EU counterparts in that regard. If a common approach is not achieved at EU level, I will seek Government approval to take action at a national level. Online safety for children is a priority for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. The evaluation of the audiovisual media services directive, which will be published during our Presidency, may also yield proposals for other new measures to protect children online. I will be hosting a high-level Presidency conference in Dublin dedicated to this, which will review progress and discuss options for further measures.

I thank the Minister for that overview. As a parent, I am supremely worried about online technology harms. To a person on the street, it seems we have a wait-and-see approach. I feel child welfare is quite often dismissed due to our dependence on technology companies in the Irish economy, not by the Government but that is what it is seen as quite regularly. We see younger and younger children accessing mental health supports. We have to acknowledge the correlation between social media and online harms and our children's mental health. I see this as a public health issue, on which we must act fast. I am glad to hear the Minister is making this a priority during the European Presidency because we have to make it a priority. He mentioned that the code of conduct came into effect in 2025. Does it work? What are the results? Have we seen any sanctions so far? Does Coimisiún na Meán have the resources and personnel it needs?

To go back to a previous question, Coimisiún na Meán is self-financed in terms of the regulation. Regulation costs money and that is why levies are imposed. People do not like that, and the previous Deputy said she did not like it. That is a separate issue, however. I am a parent as well and I am not happy with what is happening, particularly at EU level. This issue was raised at the EU Council meeting last week, and there was a shift in attitude on it. At the previous EU Council meeting, there was a view that the Digital Services Act was enough. It was very clear last week, maybe with the exception of one or two countries, that everyone now wants action taken on this. I had a bilateral meeting with the Commissioner at which I made my Department’s priorities clear. We have one sole priority, and I laid that out clearly. Everything else the Commission wants us to do as a Government in the areas of communications, postal and everything else will be predicated on its commitment to working with us on this. If it does not work with us on this, we will not work with it on those other areas. That is the way I am going to play ball. There is no issue facing the European Union at the moment that is more pressing than the protection of our children. If people do not get that message the easy way, we will do it the hard way.

I appreciate the strong line the Minister is taking on this. It is positive that this will be the single line of importance for his Department during the European Union Presidency. It is important we take a zero-tolerance approach to this and that we look after our children. As I said, it is a public health issue. The damage it has caused to our children will stay with them. I also extend that to online social media in general for all of us in the country. People would not dare say the things they say online to people as they walk down the street. If they cannot say it to someone's face, they should not say it online. Everyone in this House has been a victim of nonsense being said about them online. When we meet those people in person, however, they are as quiet as mouses. We have to stand tall and ensure we put pressure on the digital media companies to stamp it out. They have responsibility.

I agree entirely with the Deputy. For anyone who did not hear it, I restate that if a common approach is not possible at EU level, I will seek Government approval to take action at a national level. That is not mañana. If I feel, having taken over the Chair of the Presidency, that this is something the Commission or a significant blocking minority is resisting, we will go it alone like France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and a number of other countries have done. The sad reality is that the Commission and the European institutions have left it to individual member states to act unilaterally in this regard. That is not how Europe should work. This question should not be about anything other than the protection of the European child. At the moment, that is not the case. If I feel, having taken the chair of the Council of Ministers, that this is something being pushed back on by the Commission or there is a reluctance to move it forward, I will bring forward proposals for Ireland to deal with it unilaterally in our jurisdiction by implementing a digital age of majority, as other countries have done.