Drogheda TD Joanna Byrne has called for tougher enforcement of online safety rules following the publication of CyberSafeKids’ latest report on children’s experiences online.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Media, Communications and Sport described the organisation’s 10th annual report, The Year Little Changed, as “a very distressing read”.
The report is based on data collected from more than 7,000 children aged between 8 and 15 during the 2025/26 academic year. It found that 70% of children aged 8 to 12 still have accounts on social media apps intended for users aged 13 and over.
It also found that around a quarter of children surveyed had experienced content or unsolicited contact online that bothered them.
Among 12 to 15-year-olds, exposure to sexual content rose sharply, with 24% reporting that they had encountered such material this year compared with 10% last year. Most said the content had been pushed to them rather than actively sought out.
Byrne said the figures raise serious questions about how effectively existing safeguards are being enforced.
“The report details that this year there has been an increase in the number of 12 to 15 year olds exposed to sexual content online,” she said.
“Underage users are able to access platforms not suitable for their age, despite regulations being in place that make the platform responsible for age verification.”
Call for stronger enforcement
Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Framework includes protections for children such as age assurance, parental controls and measures to restrict harmful and illegal content.
Byrne said the latest CyberSafeKids findings show that stronger enforcement is needed.
“This report is another example, if more evidence was needed, of social media companies failing to live up to their legal responsibilities when they are tested,” she said.
“What the report details is not simply a series of one offs or isolated instances of the regulations not being followed, it is widespread and across multiple platforms.”
She said Coimisiún na Meán should make greater use of the powers available under Ireland’s online safety laws.
“It is time for Coimisiún na Meán to pull their socks up and stringently enforce the Online Safety Framework,” she said.
“All the tools necessary for them to do their jobs effectively are available to them, but thus far they have been taking the softly softly approach.”
Grok concerns raised again
Byrne also referred to concerns around Grok, the AI tool available through X.
Coimisiún na Meán said in January that it was engaging with the European Commission in relation to Grok and was also continuing to engage with An Garda Síochána.
The regulator noted at the time that the European Commission has responsibility under the Digital Services Act for overseeing very large online platforms in relation to certain systemic risks, including illegal content and protection of minors.
Byrne has previously raised concerns in the Dáil about whether Irish online safety legislation should be used more aggressively where harmful AI tools or illegal content are involved.
“Everyone needs to feel as safe and protected in the digital world as they do in the real world,” she said.
“We have laws and regulations in place to protect people, but Coimisiún na Meán needs to up its game and use those laws and regulations to ensure those protections are in place.”
Report finds little change in underage access
CyberSafeKids said the proportion of younger children with accounts on 13+ social media platforms has barely changed despite new legislation and regulatory measures.
The organisation said 70% of 8 to 12-year-olds still have such accounts, compared with 71% in the previous year.
It also recorded major growth in the use of generative AI among children, with 55% of 8 to 12-year-olds and 76% of 12 to 15-year-olds now using AI tools.
Byrne praised CyberSafeKids for continuing to highlight children’s experiences online.
“I want to commend CyberSafeKids for their report. They were before the media committee in recent months and engaged and advised us extensively on online safety,” she said.
“Hopefully, we will see far more stringent enforcement when it comes to online safety in the coming year at the hands of Coimisiún na Meán, and maybe next year’s CyberSafeKids report will make for a better read.”
