Social media firms have 'too much discretion' over children's online safety with rules 'playing catch-up'

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office  will tell the Oireachtas Children’s Committee: 'Children do not want to be excluded from the digital world, but children need systemic safeguards — including safer platform design, meaningful age assurance that respects privacy, protection from algorithms, child-friendly complaints mechanisms, and clear accountability for companies.' File photo

Social media companies have “too much discretion” when it comes to their duty to keep children safe online, making monitoring and enforcement of these firms difficult, according to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office.

It will tell the Oireachtas Children’s Committee that evidence suggests the current legal framework to hold tech giants to account does not yet provide a “clear, predictable” regulatory environment that makes sure online platforms fully respect children’s rights.