Artificial Intelligence
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-16
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Malcolm Byrne (FF), Wicklow-Wexford

As I understand it, it is proposed that the Government is going to proceed with a ban on access to social media apps for those under 16. While I am agnostic about this because the evidence is quite mixed as to its effectiveness, particularly regarding the ability of young people to get around such bans, it will not be effective on its own unless there is a major programme of education. I believe it is critical that instead of focusing on and placing all the pressure on children and young people, we instead look at placing a greater digital duty of care on the tech companies. In any consideration, however, I ask that the views of children and young people be taken into account and that there be engagement with children and young people and their representatives.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:50+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-16