Oireachtas committee calls for limits on social media algorithms instead of under-16 ban

Committee urges stronger regulation of algorithms, AI, and online harms instead of an outright social media ban for teenagers

The committee also called for a ban on 'infinite scroll' features on social media sites, alongside restrictions on or bans of autoplay videos. File picture

A social media ban for under-16s should not be implemented, and the Government should instead restrict recommender algorithms for anyone under 18, an Oireachtas committee has said.

The Oireachtas Media Committee has called on the Government to require social media platforms to “disable recommender algorithms entirely for children and by default for people over 18”.

The committee also called for a ban on “infinite scroll” features on social media sites, alongside restrictions on or bans of autoplay videos.

Committee rejects under-16 ban

Launching the report, Media Committee chairperson Alan Kelly said there was consensus within the committee on introducing stricter regulation for social media firms, but members opted against recommending a ban for under-16s due to a lack of supporting evidence during hearings.

“There has been much said about a proposed ban on the use of social media by under 16s, as has already been legislated for, for instance in Australia,” Mr Kelly said. 

“As a committee, we have not in any way recommended that Ireland follow this path. It should be noted that at no time during the extensive and extensive hearings on online safety was a social media ban for under-16s recommended by any of the expert witnesses. I think that was very telling.”

The Labour TD said introducing bans could create difficulties, including the risk of pushing children towards unregulated online spaces.

Mr Kelly also said it would be possible to bypass any ban through the use of a virtual private network (VPN).

He added that there was no vote within the committee on restricting social media access for under-16s because of the consensus among TDs and Senators.

Introducing such a ban remains Government policy, with communications minister Patrick O'Donovan leading work on the proposal.

Calls for tighter regulation

While the report does not recommend a social media ban, it does call for the introduction of an “age classification system” for social media.

Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney said such a system could form part of a “broader response to online harms”.

However, Ms Gibney said plans for a social media ban would not act as a “panacea” that many countries believe it will be.

“My major concern is that it will exert and suck up a whole lot of effort from a whole lot of regulators and Government’s across the globe in an effort that is not going to work.” Ms Gibney said.

AI and online safety recommendations

The report also called for additional regulation of AI, including the classification of AI chatbots and generative AI as “high risk”.

It further recommended banning AI tools that facilitate image-based abuse and requiring the labelling of AI-generated content.

The committee also called for enhanced investigatory powers for Coimisiún na Meán and requirements for social media platforms to respond within specified timeframes.

It added that higher fines should be available to Coimisiún na Meán for breaches of the Online Safety Code.

The report also recommended that the Government develop a national strategy to tackle “deepfake sexual abuse, misogyny, cyberstalking and identity-based harm”.