Government plans to introduce age restrictions for under-16s on social media are well intentioned but will not work, according to Social Democrats TDs Sinéad Gibney and Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s media spokesperson, said:
“This seems to be a case of the government wanting to be seen to be doing something but, in reality, its attempts to restrict children’s access to social media will not address the wider harm being caused online by toxic content and practices.
“Age verification – whether it’s done by the State, online platforms or third parties – is hugely problematic and presents very real security and privacy risks.
“There is an element of victim blaming in taking this approach as the government is seeking to exclude a cohort of young people who are not the problem. After all, it’s adults who can’t behave online and the social media companies themselves that won’t make their platforms safe for everyone and prevent harm.
“Instead of focusing on an unworkable social media ban for children, we need proper enforcement of the current legal and regulatory framework, which is not happening. This includes turning off recommender algorithms and putting the onus on the tech companies to get their own houses in order by clamping down on toxic online content and practices.”
Aidan Farrelly TD, who is the party’s children’s spokesperson, said:
“Not one child or young person will be made safer by the approach being taken by the government.
“The dangers posed by social media content will prevail beyond any restrictions, as evidenced in Australia where children have found workarounds to the ban and enforcement has proved difficult.
“In any other situation where a child or young person’s safety is at risk, such a threat would be dealt with at source. Ireland is perfectly positioned to challenge social media companies and force them to comply with existing laws – and we need to start doing so.
“Improving regulation and removing addictive and recommender features would be a much more proactive step in making online spaces safer for young people.”
February 18, 2026