Press Releases

Published date: 08 Aug 2024

Online Safety Code will set a precedent and currently, it is failing to hit the mark – says Children’s Rights Alliance

Following the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice’s comments on the need for regulation of online material, Online Safety Coordinator at the Children’s Rights Alliance, Noeline Blackwell speaks to the urgent need for more effective regulation to protect children and young peoples’ rights in the online world:

“It is urgent and essential that Ireland steps up to the challenge of regulating big tech and social media platforms, to protect all of us who engage in the digital world but particularly, children and young people. While we welcome the renewed Government commitment to protecting children and young people online, we are becoming increasingly concerned that the current draft of the Online Safety Code – the first, legally-binding code of conduct put forward by Coimisúin na Meán – does not go as far as we need it to.”

“The Code is a significant step forward and move away from the self-regulation of these platforms that has dominated the online space up to this point. However, as it stands, the Draft Code lacks sufficient teeth, and we are very concerned that it simply does not contain adequate safeguards for children and young people. Currently, there is no requirement for platforms to exclude or take down Irish criminal content which is seen by Irish users. The Online Safety Code is not a silver-bullet that will solve the complexity of issues across all platforms but, it will set a precedent and currently, it is failing to hit the mark.”

“We know that the harms that occur online can have harrowing real-life consequences. We have also seen the uphill battles that exist when it comes to reporting an issue or taking down harmful content. There should be an onus on these online platforms to address the harms that occur on their watch efficiently and effectively, but the draft Code is worryingly vague and unclear about how these platforms will do so. As a result, it is hard to see how we can ensure children are not seeing or being directed to content that is damaging to them. These social media giants have the expert knowledge and infinite resources at their fingertips to make their sites safer for all who use them. It is now imperative that Coimisúin na Meán ensure there is a high standard for safety set within the Online Safety Code and future regulation, and that significant penalties are imposed when that standard is not met.”

_ENDS_

Contact:
For media queries, contact: Gillian Hogan – [email protected] / 083 063 4290

Notes to Editors:
• Noeline Blackwell, Children’s Rights Alliance is available for interview

About the Children’s Rights Alliance
Founded in 1995, the Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 150 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Further information is available at: www.childrensrights.ie or on Twitter, @ChildRightsIRL