Carberry urges Government to prioritise children’s online safety during Ireland’s EU Presidency

MEP Nina Carberry has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, asking the Government to make children’s online safety a top priority when Ireland takes over the Presidency of the European Union next year.

Carberry, who is part of the European Parliament group on children’s rights, said Ireland will be leading EU discussions at a key moment, when new rules on age and identity checks for social media are being debated.

She is currently working on a report for the European Parliament about protecting children online, due to be voted on in November. She stressed that Ireland’s leadership will be crucial in ensuring the EU follows through on its Digital Services Act (DSA), which set out new rules to shield young people from cyberbullying and harmful online content like self-harm and eating disorder material.

Carberry noted that the European Commission tested an age-verification app in five EU countries this summer, and said it will be important for Ireland to monitor its progress and help expand the system across the EU.

She also highlighted that a new Digital Fairness Act will be published soon, during Ireland’s Presidency. She said this offers a chance to push for strong protections against manipulative design, addictive features, and targeted marketing aimed at children.

Finally, she welcomed the Commission’s plan to set up an expert panel by the end of the year to look at age limits for social media use.

“Ireland’s Presidency will be a chance to make sure these recommendations turn into real action, not just words,” she said.