Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has said that no one under the age of 13 should be allowed to access social media.
Speaking in Strasbourg ahead of a vote on the future of EU social media regulation, Barry Andrews MEP called on the Irish government to fast-track the introduction of the EU Digital Wallet to verify that no under 13-year-olds can access social media.
“The age limit on most social media apps is already 13 and it is the Irish digital age of consent, but this is completely unenforced,” he said.
“The new EU Digital Wallet allows governments to move ahead with real age verification, with all the required privacy safeguards. Minister Jack Chambers should fast-track this technology for Irish social media users. Every day counts in the safety of kids online.”
“We are also calling for 16 as the age under which teens cannot get on social media without parents’ permission.”
Andrews said “we know from the clear and mounting evidence how damaging addictive social media is to kids. On top of all the hateful content, social media is now full of AI-powered ‘nudify’ apps used for sextortion which should clearly be banned.”
“While governments and regulators grapple with this crisis, parents are taking action themselves. I commend grassroots movements such as Smartphone Free Childhood and Gen Free who support parents who wish to delay buying smartphones for their children.”
“Myself and my wife recently took the decision to buy a Balance Phone for our 13-year-old, which is a good safe alternative for parents,” he said.