Social media companies ‘experimenting’ with youth mental health

By Cillian Sherlock and Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association

Technology companies are “not doing enough” to protect children online, the Tánaiste has said, as he accused them of “experimenting with the mental health” of young people.

Simon Harris has said he would like to set 16 as the minimum age for which social media access is permitted but said he is “entirely open to discussions” given that other countries have suggested 15.

His comments came as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said there is a need for “age-appropriate restrictions to platforms”.

Harris said 16 was the digital age of consent under the Data Protection Act 2018.

This means online service providers like social media platforms, which rely on consent as the legal basis for processing personal data, must obtain the consent of the child’s parents if they are under 16.

Harris said: “I believe social media companies are experimenting with the mental health of our young people.”

He added: “These technology companies themselves have the ability to do it tomorrow if they wanted, they’ve just chosen not to.

“That’s the most frustrating thing. They have the technology, they’re technology companies, to do it, and they’ve chosen not to. That worries me.”

Harris said it was the Government’s preference to get agreement on the matter on an EU level, but added Ireland had a right to act alone if it wished to.

He told reporters at the Intel campus in Leixlip, Co Kildare: “We want to protect childhood here, and this should be seen as a good thing – not a negative thing, a good thing to give children back their childhood.

“But look, I’m open to ideas. I’m open to how they do it.

“I’m also open to the technology companies coming forward and taking action.

“They don’t need any European Commission report or any law to protect our children online today – and they’re not doing enough.”