Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
378. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is considering adopting similar restrictions to those in Australia, for the use of social media by those under 16 years-of-age; if his Department is carrying out any research in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5236/26]
View answerLike a range of other European Union Member States, Ireland is examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”.
I believe that any decision would be better taken by the EU and EU Member States together. However, across the European Union there are differing views whether there should be an age of digital majority at all, and if there were such an age, what age it should be, and whether it should be an outright ban or a ban subject to parental consent.
In this context, it is important to note that the European Commission is convening a panel of experts to look into the possibility of banning social media for children. This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her September 2025 State of the Union speech, and she noted the Australian initiative in that same announcement. The outcome of the work of this panel along with consideration of the Australian initiative will be important as part of any decisions on a digital age of majority.
