Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I speak on behalf of my colleague, Senator Higgins.She, along with Senator Ruane and I, welcomes the spirit and intent of the Bill. It is important that we are moving further towards legislating for technology and online content. As we know and the Minister and Senator Craughwell recognised, we cannot rely on self-regulation by tech companies. It simply does not give sufficient protection to children or others. I recognise, as many do, that the specific content referenced in the Bill is deeply damaging and requires regulation. My concern is in respect of other members of society, including vulnerable adults. I refer in particular to children with intellectual disabilities who have a different mental age from their chronological age and who may be impacted by harmful online content. Although I appreciate the need for a specific focus on children and the fact that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is engaging with this process, I am concerned that the establishment of a specific children's e-safety commissioner would risk leaving behind others who might be vulnerable, which may have a significant impact. Senators Higgins and Ruane previously raised a concern regarding commercial actors profiling and micro-targeting children online. That is another important aspect of effectively regulating this space. I may table amendments on Report Stage to address the two matters I have raised.