Ireland to Ban Social Media for Under-16s if EU Fails to Act, Minister O'Donovan States

Ireland is prepared to unilaterally ban social media for children under 16 if a European Union-wide agreement is not reached, according to Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan. Speaking in the Dáil, Minister O'Donovan affirmed his strong conviction that an overarching EU-level restriction is necessary and confirmed ongoing discussions with his European counterparts on the matter.

However, he emphasized that Ireland would proceed with national legislation should a consensus at the EU level prove unattainable. «If a common approach at EU level is not achieved, I will seek Government approval to take action at a national level,» the minister stated. Online safety for children is a key priority for Ireland's upcoming presidency of the European Union later this year.

Mr. O'Donovan also indicated that the new audio-visual and media services directive, slated for publication during Ireland's presidency, might introduce proposals aimed at enhancing online child protection. Furthermore, he announced plans to host a «high-level conference» in Dublin on the topic during the presidency.

Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan expressed significant concern regarding the issue, criticizing what she perceived as a «wait and see approach.» She also noted a public perception that child welfare concerns were being overlooked due to the Irish economy's reliance on technology companies.