Michael McGrath: 'We have no option but to protect children online' 

Michael McGrath said the EU is on the cusp of taking a "decisive step" to increase protections for children online. Picture: Conor McCabe

The European Commission has "no option" but to take further action to protect children with restrictions on social media, Ireland's Commissioner has said.

Michael McGrath said the EU is on the cusp of taking a "decisive step" to increase protections for children online.

"We really have no option but to do more to protect children online," he told the Irish Examiner.

The European Justice Commissioner was speaking following the publication of a report calling for the EU to act on social media restrictions for those under 13, with safeguards in place for those in their teens.

The proposal itself will call for children under the age of 13 to only access social media alongside an adult, while access for those between 13 and 18 will be limited based on how safe companies make the platforms.

Mr McGrath said it is a “landmark report” which will lead to “major change” in how countries approach social media.

“Now we have the firm evidence of the harms that we know are being committed every day,” Mr McGrath said.

Asked about the prospect of age verification to access pornography, Mr McGrath said Europe had already taken strong actions under the Digital Services Act.

However, Mr McGrath said the commission would be looking at what he described as “social media plus".

"It will be the social media platforms, but also other digital service providers that are engaging with young people to make sure that there are appropriate safeguards in place to protect young people," he said.

 "That's our sole priority here."

EU-wide approach 'preferable'

Asked about the prospect of member states such as Ireland getting the go-ahead for more stringent measures beyond what the EU is considering, Mr McGrath said an "EU-wide approach" is preferable.

He cited the "complex nature" of social media restrictions, saying it would better lend itself to EU-wide rules.

"The question of whether it will be open to member states to go beyond the Commission proposal and to go further than it is not yet discussed or certainly decided.

"I think that's for down the line."

Mr McGrath said he believes formal proposals from the European Commission would be made following the summer break.

"The details will matter, and exactly what we decide to do will quite rightly be interrogated very, very, very carefully, but I think we're heading in the right direction," Mr McGrath said.

"I think we will see we will see a seismic change in the approach concerning social media and young people over the period ahead."

• Tadgh McNally is Political Reporter.