Call for greater protection for children online

Legislation making it illegal for social media companies to use data from children under the age of 16 should be considered, according to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.

The minister was responding to the vice-chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, Senator Joan Freeman, who called for the legislation to be introduced.

Senator Freeman said responsibility for protecting children online should be placed on social media companies, rather than on the parent and child.