A ban on social media companies using recommender algorithms to suggest content to under-18s is to be proposed in the Dáil by People Before Profit.
The private member’s Bill, which is due to be debated in the Dáil this week, opposes any ban on under-16s having access to social media, arguing that many children would find a way around the age ban and still be exposed to extreme material.
It argues that changing how social media companies recommend material to young people would be a more effective means of preventing them seeing harmful content.
Recommender algorithms profile internet users based on their age, profile and social media use, and then direct them to similar content, some of which can be extreme. Widespread concerns have been expressed about teenagers being exposed to extreme websites promoting pornography, violence, racism and misogyny, by such systems.
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There have been moves to try to get recommender algorithms banned in recent years, with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Uplift campaign group to the forefront. However, they are permitted in the European Union at present.
“I would say 16- and 17-year-olds are among the most targeted with toxic content by the social media companies,” said People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy.
“This is about protecting them from harmful content including self-harm material, pro-eating disorder material and violent misogyny. They would continue to have free access to anything they want to search for on the internet, but wouldn’t have it shoved down their throat by the algorithm as currently.”
The Australian government’s announcement that it was banning access to social media for children under 16 has led to calls for similar restrictions within in the EU.
Spain has announced plans for a ban, saying it will require platforms to implement strict age verification software. Other EU States such as Denmark, France, and Greece have also said they will consider introducing a ban.
Minister for Media Patrick O’Donovan previously announced that he intended to introduce a ban in the State. However, it has been slower getting off the ground here with a pilot scheme now envisaged before any ban is considered.
