Irish media regulator seeks power to block online services that fail child-safety standards

CnaM seeks a package of measures combining standards, proof of compliance and stronger enforcement:

• Mandatory safety standards for services offered to children, covering content and product design.
• Certificates of conformity that show a service meets those standards before it is available to children.
• Age-gating to restrict access to adults where services fail the standards.

CnaM identifies particular design elements and policy measures it considers harmful or risky for children:

• 'Addictive' design features such as infinite scrolling, video autoplay and usage streaks.

• Missing mandatory time limits and curfews for child accounts.
• Insufficient, hard-to-use parental controls.
• Exposure to age-inappropriate content.

CnaM wants independent verification of platform safeguards rather than platforms self-certifying. The regulator proposes active checking, including monitoring and mystery shopping, and says larger platforms should not be left to assess their own systems. It also wants enhanced information-gathering powers to support enforcement.

CnaM acknowledges practical challenges, especially around reliable age assurance. Its digital services commissioner said the effectiveness of any new regime will depend on robust age-verification mechanisms already known to be difficult under existing rules.

The proposals come as the European Commission considers broader measures on children's social media use. Reports indicate the Commission president may announce plans to restrict minors' social media use. Separately, CnaM has opened an investigation into platform X under Ireland's Online Safety Code, focusing on age assurance and parental controls.

CnaM published an Ireland-specific report as part of EU research into children's online habits. Notable findings include:

• 69% of children would prefer online safety education over an outright social media ban.
• Almost one in 10 children reported receiving a sexual message at least once in the past year.

What this means for platforms and regulators

CnaM has published its strategy and 2025 work programme and is engaging with the European Commission. The outcome will depend on national and European rule-making, the development of workable age-assurance tools, and agreement on independent verification arrangements.