Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Pringle for raising what he is right to say is an extraordinarily serious issue. Listening to his final words is a reminder of all of the progress we have been beginning to make as a society in destigmatising some issues and promoting equality. The risk of that being undone or damaged by dangerous online use of social media is pertinent. I met the DCU anti-bullying centre in my past capacity in government and I am grateful for the work it does. I will make it my business to familiarise myself with the report the Deputy has raised. Online safety for children, young people and all citizens is a key priority for the Government. I spoke to the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, about this as recently as today. It is an issue she takes seriously but all of Government and everybody in this House needs to take it seriously as well. That is why we passed the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 and it is why we established a new online safety and media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. There is no question but that there is an issue with people, and children in particular, being exposed to harmful online content. I do not think we can just leave it up to the companies to do the right thing, which is why we put a legislative basis in place. Protection of children has to be a key priority. Under the new legislation, Coimisiún na Meán is putting in place a binding online safety code that is particularly focused on ensuring the safety of children and young people from harmful online content.

As Ireland's digital services co-ordinator under the new EU Digital Services Act, Coimisiún na Meán supports the European Commission in the enforcement of its landmark regulation in respect of the largest services. This was major legislation at a European level. Coimisiún na Meán is now running a spot it, flag it, stop it campaign, that relates to harmful online content, including child sex abuse material. The campaign advises people to report it to the platforms or to hotline.ie, which is funded by the EU and Internet service providers. However, as I said, we need to go further.

The public consultation on online safety codes closed at the end of January and Coimisiún na Meán is currently analysing the feedback from it. The draft code sets out the actions video-sharing platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram must take to protect the interests of users and particularly of younger users. For the first time, in the draft code there are specific obligations around age verification, which is important. It also provides for requirements to operate effective risk-mitigation measures in relation to profiling algorithms and age-inappropriate recommendations, which are some of the issues the Deputy raised. Under our legislation, harmful online content includes online content linked to 45 criminal offences, including harassment and threats, and certain harmful content that is not linked to criminal offences, such as serious cyberbullying and the promotion of eating disorders, self-harm and suicide. Failure to comply with an online safety code can lead to the imposition of a significant financial sanction of up to €20 million or up to 10% of a company's turnover and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanction for company directors.

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