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The Taoiseach and European Commission President Ursual von der Leyen speaking in University College Cork this afternoon. European Presidency of Ireland
social media ban
Could the EU ban social media for children? Von der Leyen expects an expert report this month
An expert panel is due to make recommendations to the European Commission this month on children’s access to social media.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION president has said a report by an expert group on young people’s access to social media will be handed over to her on 13 July.
Speaking during a press conference in Cork with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ursula von der Leyen was asked about reports the EU would implement a social media ban for children in September.
Responding she said she hoped the report would give a “comprehensive concept about social media delay for different age groups”.
She said: “It is not a question of when children or teenagers would have access to social media.”
It is more a question of when “social media has access to our children and teenager”, von der Leyen said.
She added that after the report is handed over, it will be worked with “to have a concept for the whole of the European Union”, whereby a legal proposal will then be put forward.
Previously, von der Leyen said it was “time for change” when it came to children accessing social media, tasking an expert panel to study what action the EU should take to protect minors online.
The panel included medical professionals and parents’ representative groups.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “I know that strengthening online safety, in particular the safety of children online, is close to your heart. I look forward to the outcome of the work of the special panel on child safety online, which you have convened. The Irish presidency will work with you on taking this work forward.”
Last week, the European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, praised Ireland for its “leadership” on social media protection but said there is a “huge need for something to be done for our kids online”.
A ban on the use of social media by under-16s is due to be in place in the UK by next spring, and similar measures were introduced in Australia in December last year.
Communications minister Patrick O’Donovan has previously said it would be “very embarrassing for the European institutions” if Ireland brought forward social media restrictions for children because of a lack of progress at a European level.
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