Call to restrict children’s access to social media

Ireland is being encouraged to follow the lead of Australia and look at banning social media to young teenagers and children.

“Any adult who has spent any amount of time at all on social media will be aware of its grim toxicity,” said Cllr Áine Smith, opening her motion to restrict children’s access to social media at the December council meeting.

Cllr Smith furthered that there are “all types” of material “just waiting to be doom-scrolled by the user”.

It’s her third time to date to raise the motion, and she said the issues of social media, “excessive” screen time, and the “influence” of AI and technology “affects our children”.

“Social media is everywhere, and many children use it from a very young age,” she stated, and while it “can help them to connect with friends”, there are also “risks” involved.

“Studies show that too much screen time and social media use can harm children’s brain development,” Cllr Smith said, describing how “constant device use” makes it “harder” to learn “important life skills”.

Meanwhile, too much time on social media can also have “effects” on mental health.

“Children who spend too long online are more likely to feel anxious, depressed, or unhappy with themselves,” she explained, as it allows them to “compare themselves to others”, experience “cyberbullying” or “feel pressured to look or act a certain way online”.

Children can also become “addicted” to devices, which “interferes” with sleep, exercise, schoolwork or “real life” friendships.

While AI tools can be “helpful”, the meeting heard that “over-reliance” on it can “prevent” them from developing skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

“Every moment a child spends on these platforms generates money for the companies, often at the expense of the child’s mental health, wellbeing, and development.”

Cllr Smith, who is also a secondary school teacher, spoke of other countries “like Australia” who are “taking action to protect children” form social media, by bringing in “rules” to “limit” children’s access to social media.

“I believe our government should follow their lead,” she stated, arguing that social media should be “off limits” to anybody under the age of 16 years.

In her motion, she asked that the government “take stronger action” by introducing “better age checks”, “restrictions” for younger children and to hold social media companies “accountable for exploiting young people”.

Cllr Smith emphasised that her motion is “not just about technology” but about “protecting our children and helping them grow into healthy, happy, and independent adults”.

“I believe that we can be the front runners in Europe in doing this,” she said, believing Ireland should “seize the opportunity” and bring this to the fore when Ireland takes up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July 2026.

“We have done this in the past with the smoking ban let’s do the same for future generations to come.

“I urge this council to support this motion and speak up for the safety and future of our children,” she said, adding that she would like to write to the Taoiseach and request that this motion be taken seriously.

Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) seconded the motion, and added her “concerns” to the debate.

She said young children “don’t want to leave their rooms” because they are on their phones, children who are “younger than ten years old”. Cllr Walsh referenced to the recent Prime Time documentary on Roblox, where it transpired that children are being groomed and exploited while playing the game. She said her own grandchildren have asked for Roblox games.

“They won’t be getting any more of them,” she affirmed, after seeing the RTÉ documentary.

She asked that Cllr Smith’s motion be “taken seriously”.

Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) also supported the motion, and told the room that he “made” his own two children watch the Prime Time documentary, “to show them what happens.”

He recalled his own childhood, when mothers would have to “pull their children by the ear to get them inside”.

“Now they are pulling them by the ear to get them out,” he described.

“I totally agree we have to be the front runners for this in Europe.

“All the platforms and games are about making money,” he agreed, before adding that he “one hundred percent” supports the motion.

Both Niamh Brady (FG) and Trevor Smith (FG) supported the motion, with Cllr Smith adding that school phone pouches have “proved to be successful”.

Philip Brady (FF) and John Paul Feeley (FF) also supported the motion, and it was agreed that the council would write to the Taoiseach on the issue.