The Government will announce plans on Wednesday to introduce a social media ban for under 16s as part of a clampdown on online safety. The Irish Examiner understands the plan will confirm Ireland’s intention to introduce legislation to restrict social media for under-16s. Ireland will become the latest EU country to introduce a minimum age requirement for social media. Last month, France’s National Assembly backed legislation to ban children under 15 from social media, with Greece expected to follow suit. Australia became the first country in the world to implement an all-out youth social media ban late last year.

Source: Irish Examiner February 18, 2026 16:43 UTC