Ireland is exploring the possibility of restricting access to social media for children and young people, joining a broader debate among European Union Member States on what has been described as the “digital age of majority.” A spokesperson for Ireland’s Department of Culture, Communications and Sport said the country believes any decision should be coordinated at the EU level, taking into account the rights and interests of minors.
The comments come as Australia prepares to implement a world-first law preventing under-16s from maintaining accounts on major social media platforms. Meta has already begun removing Australian users under 16 from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads ahead of the ban, which comes into effect on 10 December. The legislation also applies to TikTok and YouTube. Companies that fail to comply face fines of Aus$49.5 million (€28 million).
Meta confirmed it is notifying underage users in advance, allowing them to save their account data and download content before deletion. The company said it will restore content once users reach 16. Instagram alone reports around 350,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15 who will be affected. While apps like WhatsApp, Roblox, and Pinterest are exempt, the list of restricted platforms may still change.
Meta has voiced concerns about the approach, calling for app stores to verify ages and obtain parental approval for downloads of apps by users under 16. “Social media platforms could then use this verified age information to ensure teens are in age-appropriate experiences,” a Meta spokesperson said. YouTube also criticised the law, warning that young Australians could be less safe without age-specific safety filters, even if they cannot log in. Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed the argument, saying the company’s concern highlighted its own responsibility to manage content.
The new rules have prompted a legal challenge from the Digital Freedom Project, which argues in Australia’s High Court that the law unfairly restricts freedom of speech. Authorities have acknowledged that some teens may attempt to bypass the restrictions using fake identification or AI-altered images, and platforms are tasked with implementing measures to limit circumvention, though no solution is expected to be fully effective.
Globally, regulators are closely watching Australia’s approach. Malaysia plans to introduce similar age restrictions next year, and New Zealand has announced comparable measures. Within the EU, the European Commission is studying the issue through an expert panel, which will review Australia’s experience and advise on potential strategies for Europe.
Ireland has emphasised the need for a coordinated EU response, noting that child rights and digital safety must guide any decision. The expert panel is expected to assess how social media age restrictions could be implemented effectively while balancing protection with access to digital platforms.
