Online Safety

Thursday, 7 May 2026

Questions (319)

Paula Butterly

Question:

319. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps being taken to ensure that young people have a meaningful and structured voice in decision making on social media regulation and other online safety policies that directly affect them, including proposals to restrict access based on age; the mechanisms in place to consult with children and young people on such measures; the way in which he plans to ensure that youth perspectives inform the development of future digital and online safety policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33711/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

The protection of children and young people in the online world is of utmost importance to me. For that reason, I have made the issue my priority for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the EU. As part of the Presidency Programme, I will be hosting a high-level conference in Dublin dedicated to online safety for children and young people. It will be an opportunity to review the existing framework, to identify where change is needed, and to hear the latest ideas for improvement.

I believe that it is vital that we ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard when designing an online world that is both safe for them and meets their needs. Accordingly, my Department is holding a Youth Forum next month to engage with different age groups of children, from around the country, to get their views, concerns and ideas.

The outcome of that Forum will inform our preparations for the Presidency and will be presented to the Presidency conference. I hope that will ensure that young people’s perspectives are at the heart of the Conference’s deliberations.