The Irish Government is considering a social media ban for under-16s, but would prefer to act at European Union level rather than unilaterally.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris both welcomed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement, describing social media as the public health risk of our time, reports Breaking News.
Speaking to media in Dublin on Monday morning, Martin said the Government is looking at a similar ban in a European Union context and spoke of “fairly active efforts” already ongoing.
“I believe some proposals will emanate from the Commission in respect of social media, protecting young people and potentially moving in the direction that the UK has,” he said, reports Breaking News.
“There is a growing groundswell of national governments coming to the view that we do have to do more to protect young people, the precise mechanisms of a ban need to be worked out. People are observing the Australian decision and how that is working.
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“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,” reports Breaking News.
He added: “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.”
Harris praised Starmer for “showing real leadership” on the issue, reports Breaking News.
“I think Prime Minister Starmer has shown some real leadership on this, I welcome that, I think it’s positive,” he said.
“I think the social experimentation with the minds of our young people is real, it’s worrying, I think it’s potentially the mental health and wellbeing challenge of our time.
“It’s always been the preference of this Government that we would act on a European level.
“I hope that this is an issue that Europe can arrive at a consensus view on because I know a lot of governments across the European Union are concerned.
“So, the most impactful thing we could see would be the EU moving quickly and together on this but, if it doesn’t, Ireland has the right of its own domestic legislation,” reports Breaking News.
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