*Michael McNamara MEP (IND).
PLANS to introduce a social media ban for teenagers can be completed in Ireland but are unlikely to be backed on an EU level, an MEP has flagged.
In a memo brought before Cabinet this week, the Government is to propose introducing a social media ban for under sixteens as part of its consideration for a new artificial intelligence strategy.
Australia was the first country to introduce such a social media ban for teenagers last year with similar plans afoot in France and Spain.
Last year, the Government announced a trial of a ‘digital wallet’ age verification tool for accessing social media platforms.
Research to gather the views of parents and youths is set to begin soon as the Government seeks to influence EU policy in this area ahead of the beginning of Ireland hosting the EU presidency in the second half of the year.
As part of the memo brought to Cabinet, Ministers were told the the system which is being developed is privacy-protective, legally sound and workable across every device.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary (FF) said the Government will have to “be careful” if the Public Services Card is to be used as part of the age verification method.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Michael McNamara MEP (IND) who is Co-Chair of the AI Act Working Group in the European Union said it is “feasible” that a social media ban for teenagers would work in Ireland and voiced his support for the plans. “The central issue is on use of social media and smart phones, I do see a lot of merit in the proposal to restrict it. I have very young children and I’d be very worried about them going on social media”.
He added that such policies will need to be driven by individual states of the rather than the European Union, “I don’t see any proposal coming at an EU level, France is proposing something similar, there is a leak from a proposal to the Cabinet in Ireland. Only the commission can propose something for Europe and I don’t see them proposing anything because the direction of travel is responding to the lobbying from these big companies and relaxing laws rather than strengthening them”.
Restricting the use of social media is necessary to help children’s development, the Scariff native felt. “I would welcome some restriction on the use of social media. AI does bring with it risks, we know children have a particular vulnerability, it is a key part of the development process to distinguish what is real and what is artificial, the use of companionship bots risks that. We have seen some cases in America where children were actively encouraged or at the very least not discouraged to commit suicide by these bots which is very worrying. This is covered by the AI act which is coming into force in August of this year”.
