Survey reveals parents' calls for stricter age verification online

Mayo Fine Gael Deputy Keira Keogh has said more than 2,200 parents and guardians have highlighted their concerns about online safety for children in a recent Fine Gael Online Safety Survey.

The survey found parents across the country are overwhelmingly in support of stricter age limits and more verification for children on social media.

“The results of the Fine Gael Online Safety Survey clearly show the challenges facing families in Ireland today. Parents see the opportunities that technology offers, but also have serious concerns about the risks.

“Over 90 percent of respondents believe children should be at least 13 before owning a smartphone, with many preferring 16 or older.

“We also found that 93 percent of parents do not trust social media companies to act in children’s best interests, and 83 percent feel they lack sufficient tools or information to protect their child online.”

Deputy Keogh said these results clearly show that parents want urgent action to prevent minors being exposed to harmful content online. 

“The most highly requested changes include earlier and stronger online safety education in schools and digital literacy programmes for parents and children.

“It’s clear we need to see tougher regulation, updated laws, stricter enforcement, and penalties for platforms that fail to protect minors.

“We need changes to age verification on social media. Almost nine in ten parents believe social media should be restricted to those aged 16 and above, and most favour mandatory age checks for social media and adult websites.” She said. 

Deputy Keogh says Fine Gael wants to see stronger regulation and enforcement to Comisiún na Meán has the resources and authority to regulate platforms effectively and impose tougher liability for harmful content.

“We also want to see Ireland’s digital wallet rollout and using Ireland’s EU Presidency to see the launch of the European Digital Identity and Wallet by 2026.

“Families can’t shoulder this burden themselves. We need a stronger partnership between households, schools, regulators, and industry to protect children online,” she concluded.