LAST UPDATE | 41 mins ago

THE GOVERNMENT IS to outline plans later today confirming it will introduce age restrictions on the use of social media for teenagers.

It’s understood a memo being brought to Cabinet will concentrate the measure on under 16s, with Ireland set to copy similar moves made by Australia and France.

This plan will see a pilot of an age verification tool take place in the first half of this year with young people involved in the trial to assess how it will work in practice.

Ministers will also consider a new digital and AI strategy with a focus on online safety among other areas.

In addition, the plan will look at keeping legislation under review to address the advent of AI and technologies as tools to intimidate or harass individuals.

There is also an expectation that the government will engage with European Commission to ensure the list of prohibited practices under the EU’s AI legislation remains fit for purpose in the context of those growing capabilities of AI.

The Irish government will also support Coimisiún na Meán in leading an information and awareness campaign, to support public understanding on reporting of harmful and illegal content, as well as the role of Coimisiún na Meán in relation to online safety.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said last week that the government was “clearly hearing” from parents that they want action when it comes to children on social media, after a poll showed that three-quarters of those surveyed were in favour of the restriction.

It is understood the plan will confirm Ireland’s intention to introduce legislation here as a priority for the European Presidency.

While the preference is to move at a European level with other EU member states, Irish ministers want to take action regardless.

Unhappiness from campaigners

The government’s plan has been criticised by the Children’s Rights Alliance, saying that it “punishes children for the fixable faults created by the tech giants by denying them the social engagement that is some of the best parts of social media”.

“It may be well-meaning but is banning under 16s from having social media accounts the answer? Undoubtedly, it’s attractive to adult decision makers,” said the group’s online safety coordinator Noeline Blackwell.

Blackwell added that there it’s possible restrictions on social media may drive children to “socialise in secretive ways which predators use to groom children for sexual and financial abuse”, with the likelihood that these children may be less likely to report because they are doing something that has been banned by their government.

“A ban does not provide the clubs, the youth workers, the safe playgrounds, the links to their families and friends in the offline world that might nourish and support children,” Blackwell said.

Above all, it doesn’t address the problem. The problem is not children, or the fact that they’re socialising online. The problem is that the products aren’t safe enough.

The Children’s Rights Alliance has proposed that the government convene a wide debate on guardrails for younger children using social media, and that Ireland’s politicians work with new EU-wide legislation to require platforms to better regulate harmful material.