TD Albert Dolan said Australia showed leadership in banning social media for under 16s and France followed suit and it was time for Ireland to 'step up'. Photograph: Getty ImagesIreland must show leadership and get young people off “toxic” social media platforms, a Government backbencher has said. Dolan said Australia showed leadership in banning social media for under 16s, France followed suit and it was time for Ireland to “step up”. The Dublin South-West TD claimed a ban on social media recommender algorithms for under-18s was removed from Ireland’s online safety code “because big tech lobbied”. “The parallels with big tobacco are clear in the damage to young people,” he said, adding that social media companies know the impact their platforms are having.

Source: The Irish Times March 04, 2026 18:34 UTC