Ireland will follow Australia’s lead with age-verification tools for social media says Mayo minister
Mayo representatives are calling for stronger safeguards to protect children online, following the introduction of a sweeping social media ban for Australian children under 16.
Minister of State Alan Dillon said new steps are being taken in Ireland to introduce age-verification tools to keep young people safe online.
"Parents are doing their part in trying to protect their children from online dangers like pornography, cyberbullying and harmful algorithms that can lead to exploitation," Minister Dillon said adding that ensuring online safety is a "whole-of-Government priority".
The Government is currently developing a trusted age-verification tool through an upcoming digital wallet that will confirm the ages of internet users and hold platforms like YouTube and Instagram accountable.
Minister Dillon confirmed that the new digital wallet will be launched soon.
In Mayo, 22 post-primary schools have benefitted from a €6m investment that aims to support schools across Ireland to maintain a smartphone-free learning environment.
"We're supporting safer school environments with mobile-phone restrictions that will reduce distraction, improve wellbeing and support teachers," he said, "Safer screens mean secure futures."
Minister Dillon added that when Ireland assumes its EU Presidency in 2026, the country will have a clear pathway to take the lead on online safety and deliver stronger protection measures for children.
Deputy Keira Keogh, Chair of the Joint Committee on Children and Equality, has reported the results of a Fine Gael Online Safety Survey, which showed overwhelming parental support for stricter age limits and verification measures.
"The results clearly show the challenges facing families in Ireland today. Parents see the opportunities that technology offers, but also have serious concerns about the risks," Deputy Keogh said.
According to the survey, over 90pc of parents believe children should be at least 13 before owning a smartphone, with many preferring 16 or older.
93pc of parents said they did not trust social media companies to act in their child's best interest, and 83pc felt they lacked the tools or information needed to protect their child online.
"The most highly requested changes include earlier and stronger online safety education in schools and digital literacy programmes for parents and children," Deputy Keogh said.
Almost nine in ten parents want social media restricted to ages 16 and over, alongside mandatory age checks for both social media and adult websites.
Deputy Keogh added, "Families can't shoulder this burden themselves. We need a stronger partnership between households, schools, regulators, and industry to protect children online."
She said that Fine Gael wants stronger regulation and enforcement to ensure Comisiún na Meán has the necessary resources and authority to properly regulate online platforms, and called for greater accountability over harmful content.
The calls for action in Ireland come as Australia has enforced a new law prohibiting children under 16 from using popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Threads.
Companies that breach the rules could face fines of up to Aus$49.5m (€28m), though children and parents will not be prosecuted.
There is a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Coimisiún na Meán and the Australian eSafety Commissioner, which aims to improve the country's expertise in digital regulation and online safety by sharing information, data, good practices, methodologies, and technical systems and tools.
As technology continues to shape childhood experiences, Mayo's TDs are among those pushing for early, concrete changes to keep children safe online.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.