Online Safety
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-07
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Erin McGreehan (FF), Louth

I thank the Minister for that overview. As a parent, I am supremely worried about online technology harms. To a person on the street, it seems we have a wait-and-see approach. I feel child welfare is quite often dismissed due to our dependence on technology companies in the Irish economy, not by the Government but that is what it is seen as quite regularly. We see younger and younger children accessing mental health supports. We have to acknowledge the correlation between social media and online harms and our children's mental health. I see this as a public health issue, on which we must act fast.
I am glad to hear the Minister is making this a priority during the European Presidency because we have to make it a priority. He mentioned that the code of conduct came into effect in 2025. Does it work? What are the results? Have we seen any sanctions so far? Does Coimisiún na Meán have the resources and personnel it needs?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-07/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-07