Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
71. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update in relation to the efforts being made to curb harmful social media content in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44456/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoimisiún na Meán is the lead regulator for Ireland's online safety framework, including the supervision of Ireland’s Online Safety Code, which came into full effect in July 2025.
That Code obliges designated video-sharing platform services to take measures to limit the spread of harmful content and to deploy age assurance measures to ensure that minors under 18 do not have access to adult-only material such as pornography. To help support compliance with that age restriction, the Department is working with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer to include an age verification tool within Ireland’s Digital Wallet. This will provide platforms with an option to fulfil their age assurance obligations while protecting the privacy of users.
Minister O'Donovan has made online safety for minors a priority for Ireland's upcoming EU Presidency. In line with our national digital policy, he is working with other EU Member States to get agreement on an EU wide approach to the digital age of majority, in other words, the age at which young people can sign up to social media.
We also expect proposals for new EU legislation to protect minors to be published during our term, arising from the evaluation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the forthcoming recommendations of the Special Panel on children’s safety online. Ireland will therefore lead the negotiations of these important legislative files.
In September, Minister O'Donovan will host a high-level Presidency conference on online safety, bringing together policymakers, academics, non-governmental organisations, and young people themselves. Last week, the Minister hosted a Youth Forum to consult young people ranging from 10 through to 17 years old as he is determined that their voice will be heard in these discussions. The outcome of that Forum will further inform deliberations at the Conference and Ireland's leadership on this topic during our EU Presidency.
