The media regulator has said that rather than an aged-based blanket social media ban, there should be a ban on online services that are unsafe for children.
Jeremy Godfrey, Executive Chairperson at Coimisiún na Meán, said there should be mandatory safety standards and platforms that do not meet those requirements should be banned from having children as users.
“Services that are not safe for children, that have dangerous features, should be banned from being provided to children,” Mr Godfrey said.
“That means addictive design features like infinite scrolling, streaks, autoplay videos, and the ability to be contacted by unknown adults.
“We also think there should be time limits, time controls and effective parental controls that are easy to use,” he added.
Next week in her State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to outline plans for social media restrictions for under 13s.
Member States such as France are calling on the EU to go further and introduce a social media ban for under 15s.
The Irish Government has expressed a preference for a blanket ban on children under 16 using social media but has said that it would favour a common European approach.
Mr Godfrey said his stance on the issue does not put him at odds with the Government.
“We’re in regular contact with the Government about our ideas and everybody wants the same thing,” Mr Godfrey said.
“Everybody wants that children should not be exposed to services that do them harm,” he added.
Mixed views on social media ban
Mr Godfrey was speaking at the publication of a new Coimisiún na Meán report on ‘Online Safety and Children’s Digital Lives’.
The research found that the majority of children think it would be better to teach them about staying safe online rather than banning them from using social media.
The study showed that almost half of parents also favour online safety education over a social media ban.
Parents surveyed were also more likely to agree than disagree that a ban would not be effective as children would circumvent it.
The research was based on a survey of 1,002 children aged 9-17 and one of their parents or caregivers in their household.
EU presidency conference
The study is being published ahead of an EU presidency conference in Dublin Castle on online safety for children which is taking place today and tomorrow.
Delegates will hear from policymakers, industry figures, representative organisations, regulators and children.
“We will examine how all key stakeholders have a role in shaping a safer online world for children and young people,” said Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan.
“It is clear that we are at an inflection point in how to do this. This conference will be our call to action,” Mr O’Donovan said.