The Government Is Considering A Social Media Ban For Under 16s
The Government Is Considering A Social Media Ban For Under 16s
“social media is the public health issue of our time”
The Irish government is considering a social media ban for under 16s, looking to the ban to potentially be implemented on a European level. This news comes after Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have openly welcomed the UK’s similar ban last week, which saw all under 16s in the UK unable to access social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Yesterday, Micheál Martin addressed the media and stated that “social media is the public health issue of our time, and governments have to act.” He also stated that “It would be very preferable if, at European Union level, we could arrive at a decision in terms of banning social media for children, and the precise mechanisms around that.”
“It’s like any area where harm is being done, we have taken measures: tobacco, alcohol; we have taken measures to protect people, we do that across the board, social media is the public health issue of our time, and governments have to act.” – Micheál Martin
No final decision has been made, but the government’s comments signal that stricter regulation of young people’s access to social media is on the agenda. If introduced, an Irish ban would likely form part of a wider EU approach.
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