EU urged to act faster on online risks facing children

Stronger regulation is needed to protect children from online abuse, exploitation and unsafe platforms, the Online Safety Coordinator with the Children's Rights Alliance has urged.

Noeline Blackwell's comments come after the European Commission proposed a ban on social media access for children under 13, alongside new "safe design" obligations for platforms used by young people aged 15 to 18.

In her State of the Union address last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was "time for Europe to act", outlining plans for a new Kids Act that would take a "gradual and differentiated approach" to protecting children online.

Under the proposals, children under 13 would be barred from accessing social media platforms.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with David McCullagh, Ms Blackwell described the announcement as a "firmer tone" than previously heard from the commission.

"They have been gathering evidence over time," she said, citing a report published in July that identified addictive platform features which can be harmful to children when used excessively.

She said the commission's evidence-led approach shifts responsibility back to technology companies to ensure their products are safe.

"Which really should be a given. In the European Union, they should not be selling or deploying products that are unsafe, particularly for children," she said.

Ms Blackwell said the commission had previously been reluctant to confront major technology firms, but that a clear line was now being drawn.

"Our regulations require the big social media platforms to make sure that children under 18 do not access material that is harmful or illegal for them. That is the law as it stands right now," she said.

She argued that many tech companies continue to place responsibility on parents, despite the complexity of online systems and technologies.

"We don't have that sort of knowledge as lay people," she said.

Growing unease over artificial intelligence

Ms Blackwell also highlighted growing concerns around artificial intelligence, saying at least one-third of children are using AI chatbots for friendship and emotional support.

She noted that online gaming, another popular activity among children, has historically been subject to limited regulation but is expected to face greater scrutiny under future proposals.

However, she said one of the most pressing concerns remains the risk of online sexual abuse and exploitation.

"Children are at real risk of sexual abuse online and sexual exploitation," she said.

Ms Blackwell criticised the slow pace of legislative reform in this area, arguing that European institutions have struggled to balance privacy rights with child protection measures.

"Both the Parliament and Commission seem unable to update the criminal law in relation to that, or to put monitoring responsibilities on the platforms, because Parliament is not able to work out how to preserve people's privacy as well as children's protection," she said.

She expressed hope that renewed efforts would be made to tackle child sexual abuse material online through stronger regulations, improved detection systems and greater harmonisation of laws across Europe.

"So that our children are at least as safe offline as they are online, which isn't the case right now," she added.

Ms Blackwell said technology companies have spent two decades refining methods to keep children engaged online, while regulation remains relatively new by comparison.

"Regulations in Ireland are, at best, two to three years old. There is something, I think, in the air with that speech and with the talk of new legislation," she said.

She cautioned that passing legislation alone would not be enough and stressed the need for robust enforcement.

"It is one thing to have the law, but another thing to enforce it vigorously, attentively and quickly," she said.

Ms Blackwell added that regulators should focus on holding platforms accountable for failing to comply with existing laws as well as preparing new protections for children online.