DESPITE THE NEWS today that the United Kingdom is considering banning social media for under-16s, the Irish government currently has no plans to do the same. 

The UK government’s decision to launch a consultation on banning social media for children comes as part of a series of measures which it says are intended to protect the well-being of young people. 

It follows Australia’s introduction of a ban on several major social media sites for users under the age of 16 in December.

The move has prompted serious debate globally as governments grapple with how to best protect young people and children online. 

However, while the Irish government has not fully ruled out such a move, for now it is focused on other measures. 

Speaking to The Journal today, a source in the Department of Arts and Media said the UK’s decision will have no bearing on Ireland’s approach.

The Journal understands the Department is currently watching how things progress in Australia before making a final decision on whether an outright ban would be appropriate in Ireland. 

The focus of Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan has been on introducing a ‘Digital Wallet’ as a means of verifying the age of social media users. 

The move is a controversial one, with legal and digital experts warning that it is “intrusive” and “illegal”. 

A pilot of the scheme is due to begin in the first three months of this year, with some platforms (including Google and Meta) already on board. 

Within Government, this approach is being viewed as equivalent to a ban on children using social media. 

While the Department of Arts and Media is keen to move forward on this proposal, the Minister has previously stressed that he wants to move in step with other European Union member states on this issue. 

The Journal understands he will be meeting with counterparts in other EU member states to discuss the issue in the coming weeks. 

The European Commission is currently exploring how best children can be protected online, and has not ruled out introducing a ban. 

Support for a ban? 

Views are mixed on whether a ban should be introduced in Ireland, with TDs of a variety of parties agreeing that more evidence is needed on the effectiveness of such a blunt instrument. 

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy will this week introduce a Bill which seeks to force social media platforms to turn off recommender algorithms for under 18s. 

Speaking on the plinth at Leinster House today, Murphy said he is opposed to an outright ban on social media for under-16s, arguing that they would find ways around it. 

“The problem isn’t social media, per se. The problem is what people are fed on social media, and how social media is being used and designed by the big tech corporations,” Murphy said. 

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea to say, ‘Oh, we’re going to keep you off’. Instead, we should make social media a much safer place by turning off these toxic algorithms.”