Ireland to consider age verification as UK moves to ban under-16s from social media

The Government previously signalled the system would see age-verification introduced for certain websites, where it would be checked against an individual’s Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). File picture

Plans to introduce age-verification for social media are to be brought to Cabinet next month, the Tánaiste has confirmed.

Simon Harris said Ireland should “follow suit” with the UK, which on Monday announced plans to ban social media for under-16s.

For Ireland to introduce such a ban, Mr Harris said there needs to be a form of age-verification introduced, confirming culture minister Patrick O’Donovan would bring the plan to Cabinet next month.

The Government previously signalled the system would see age-verification introduced for certain websites, where it would be checked against an individual’s Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).

Mr Harris said British prime minister Keir Starmer had shown “real leadership” on banning social media for young people, describing the move as positive.

“I think the social experimentation of the minds of our young people is real, it's worrying. I think it's potentially the mental health and wellbeing challenge of our time.” 

Mr Harris said it was the Government’s preference to act at an EU level, saying he hoped progress could be made during Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council, which begins in July.  

“The most impactful thing we can see is the EU moving quickly, but if it doesn’t, Ireland has the right of its own domestic legislation to act,” he added.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he had spoken with Ireland’s EU commissioner, Michael McGrath, who indicated that active efforts are under way within the European Commission to protect young people from the harms of social media.

Mr Martin said this was “potentially” moving in the same direction as measures being taken by the UK government.

He said there is a growing groundswell among national governments that more needs to be done to protect young people, adding that the precise mechanisms of a ban on social media for under-16s still need to be worked out.

Mr Martin said it was like other areas where the Government has intervened to protect people, citing interventions on restricting alcohol and tobacco.

“Social media is the public health issue of our time," said Mr Martin.