Ireland's media watchdog, Coimisiún na Meán, has called for enhanced statutory powers to block or ban online services that fail to comply with mandatory child safety and age-gating requirements. Executive chairman Jeremy Godfrey stated on Thursday that legislative amendments should require digital platforms to obtain "certificates of conformity" proving adherence to age-appropriate content standards and non-addictive design, or otherwise remain strictly age-gated for adult access.

The proposal coincides with the release of a national study conducted by Ipsos B&A on behalf of the regulator. Surveying 1,002 children aged between 9 and 17 alongside their parents and caregivers, the report found that nearly 70% of children prefer education on digital safety over blanket social media bans. Approximately 49% of parents and caregivers surveyed shared this preference, compared to 21% who disagreed.

According to the survey, two-thirds of children and 43% of parents believe age bans would prove ineffective because young users would find technical workarounds to bypass restrictions. The findings also highlighted widespread social media usage among Irish youth, noting that 25% of children aged 9 to 11 and 90% of those aged 16 to 17 maintain social media accounts. Additionally, one-third of young respondents reported feeling upset by an online experience within the past year.

Despite skepticism regarding the enforceability of bans, many parents recognized potential benefits to reduced exposure. Over 60% of surveyed parents and caregivers agreed that having no social media access would improve children's focus on schoolwork, as well as positively impact their mental health and online safety.

Coimisiún na Meán's call for broader enforcement capabilities comes amid broader European debates on restricting minors' social media access. The regulator recently opened its first formal investigation under Ireland's Online Safety Code into social media platform X, assessing whether its age assurance mechanisms and parental controls adequately protect underage users from adult and violent content.