Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the statement from the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, this morning on the decision by the country’s leading mobile phone operators to support her plan for voluntary agreements to keep childhood smartphone-free. Vodafone, Three, Eir, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Media and An Post Mobile have all confirmed that they are supporting the keeping childhood smartphone-free guide for parents and parent associations of primary school aged children. These companies account for some 95% of the Irish mobile phone market. Whenever I meet parents locally, I hear their concerns about the impact on children of smartphones in school, social media and their being constantly online. Having worked on the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, Senators know what the impact of having unlimited access to mobile phones is and how that can be detrimental to the development of a child’s brain. I have cited previously the work of Dr. Richard Hogan in this area in advocating for age verification. I hope the online code of conduct will confirm that later this year. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Foley. At her recent social media summit, she asked the companies invited to show leadership in protecting children online. They gave her a commitment that they would reflect on this. Now, some months later, the six mobile phone operators have confirmed their support for these voluntary agreements. It was a very worthwhile announcement this morning.