O’Shea Highlights Importance of Online Safety and Stronger Protections for Children

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has highlighted the urgent need to strengthen online safety protections for children and young people, following a special meeting of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party convened by Tánaiste and Fine Gael Leader Simon Harris TD to address the issue.

The meeting brought together Fine Gael Ministers, TDs, Senators and MEPs to review the work underway across Government and to agree further actions to improve online safety and better protect children in the digital world.

Deputy O’Shea said that online safety has become one of the most important challenges facing families today.

“Parents across Cork and across Ireland are increasingly concerned about the risks children face online. From exposure to harmful content to the pressures created by social media, it is clear that stronger protections are needed to ensure the digital world is a safer place for young people.

“The Fine Gael Parliamentary Party met this week to focus specifically on this issue and to ensure that meaningful steps are taken to protect children online. This is now recognised as a significant public health issue and it is essential that Government continues to act decisively.”

Deputy O’Shea said the discussion at the meeting highlighted the scale of concern among parents, with a Fine Gael survey of more than 2,200 parents showing overwhelming support for stronger safeguards.

“The findings were very clear. The vast majority of parents believe children should be at least 13 before having access to a smartphone and believe parental permission should be required before children can access social media. There is also very little trust in social media companies to prioritise the wellbeing of young users. These findings underline the need for stronger regulation and practical tools to help parents protect their children online.”

Deputy O’Shea welcomed the work underway across Government, including plans to introduce legislation for a digital wallet which will support age verification measures online.

“This legislation will be an important step forward. Age verification will help ensure that children are not accessing platforms or content that are not appropriate for them. The Government will also pilot these measures to ensure they work effectively.

“Alongside this, there is ongoing work to improve digital literacy, provide better supports for parents and schools, and strengthen existing online safety laws.”

Deputy O’Shea also welcomed the work being carried out in schools to educate young people about responsible and safe internet use.

“Teachers and schools are already doing important work through programmes that help students understand the risks that exist online and how to protect themselves. Expanding these supports will be an important part of the solution.”

Concluding, Deputy O’Shea said Fine Gael is determined to continue leading efforts to improve online safety.

“We must ensure that technology works for families, not against them. Protecting children online must remain a national priority and Fine Gael will continue working across Government and at European level to deliver real and meaningful protections for young people and their families.”