Micheál Martin stops short of backing under-16 social media ban

The Taoiseach said Ireland would monitor Australia’s under-16 ban as pressure grows following EU findings against TikTok

Micheál Martin said his understanding was that many platforms are now disabling access for children and young people. Picture: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has declined to immediately back calls for a social media ban on under-16s, saying the Government intends to review how a similar ban unfolds in Australia.

Mr Martin was speaking to the Irish Examiner on Saturday after the European Commission accused TikTok of using addictive features such as “infinite scrolling” and push notifications to keep users engaged for hours.