Mayo deputy says Ireland should be EU leaders in children’s online safety

Securing our children’s future is the primary aim of Fine Gael’s plan for age verification before accessing online sites, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Keira Keogh, who also serves as Chair of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee, said new steps are being taken to introduce age verification to better protect children online. The Mayo TD said Ireland should use the EU Presidency to be leaders in child safeguarding.

“The primary motivation and aim, led by my Fine Gael colleague Minister Patrick O’Donovan, is securing our children’s future. Parents are doing their part in trying to protect their children from online dangers like pornography, cyberbullying and harmful algorithms that can lead to exploitation. Recently we’ve seen huge strides in online safety, but we know stronger age verification is the key to ensuring we keep young people safe online.

“A recent Fine Gael Online Safety Survey gathered the views of more than 2,200 parents and guardians across the country. It found that there is overwhelming support for age limits and verifications. We’ve heard what parents had to say on this, and now we’re acting. A new scheme piloted next year under the Government’s Digital Wallet will ensure platforms like YouTube and Instagram are tougher on verifying who can use their platforms.

“The new Digital Wallet will soon be launched and will be used to confirm ages of internet users, making sure platforms like YouTube and Instagram are properly held to account. On top of age verification, Deputy Keogh said Fine Gael has also allocated €6m to schools across the country to help keep them smartphone free. We’re also making progress in supporting safer school environments with mobile-phone restrictions, designed to reduce distraction, improve wellbeing and support learning. Our Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has been working with schools, teachers, parents and students. Safer screens mean secure futures.

“We need to empower young people with practical tools and knowledge to navigate the internet safely. Through grassroots campaigns we can encourage young people to understand the risks and responsibilities that come with protecting their health and safety online.”

“When Ireland assumes the EU Presidency in 2026, we have a real opportunity to take the lead on this important issue and deliver stronger protection measures for children. We need to launch the European Digital Identity Wallet, but we also need to do more to work with like-minded member states to roll out protections for children online. Protecting our children online is a key priority for Fine Gael and have taken big steps to ensure parents aren’t left to handle this on their own,” concluded Deputy Keogh.

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