Children's charities have warned how the “unintended consequences” of a social media ban could end up as “a potential gift” to paedophiles. More than 4.7m social media accounts held by Australians deemed by online platforms as being under 16 were deactivated, removed, or restricted last year. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government will not be pushed into making “knee-jerk” decisions around social media controls for children and young people. Ms Jennings told the Irish Examiner: “The idea of a social media ban is topical and mooted as the answer to keeping children safe online. There can be unintended consequences to prohibitions and a ban on social media is no different.

Source: Irish Examiner January 20, 2026 11:50 UTC