'Long overdue': Longford MEP welcomes new EU KIDS Act

MIDLANDS-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has welcomed plans for the European Commission’s forthcoming EU Kids Act, following Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment to introduce stronger protections for children online.

The Independent Ireland commented: “It's long overdue and the focus must now turn to the policing of the new under 13 social media ban. This is an area that the Commission has already struggled to deal with under the Digital Act and we need to see tangible supervisory operations put in place with urgent and swift responses when there's an obvious breach of any new legislation.

Mr Mullooly is calling on the President to bring forward “a very strong and punitive regime to ensure that the new ban is enforced in all member states without exception.”

“While we will need to see the final text before making a full assessment, this is a welcome step in the right direction. Children are being exposed to serious risks online, from addictive design and harmful content to… grooming and manosphere content.

“The Commission’s expert panel spent months examining the evidence and hearing from academics, practitioners, young people, parents and other specialists. Its recommendations make a strong case for... putting responsibility on the companies designing and profiting from these platforms.”

The Independent Ireland MEP added that a common European approach was essential to avoid a patchwork of national rules. “We are already seeing countries across Europe looking at how to restrict children’s access to social media and other harmful digital services.

“Europe cannot have a situation where a child’s level of protection depends on which Member State they happen to live in. A common European approach must now provide greater legal certainty, make enforcement more effective and ensure that children across the EU receive the same basic protections.”

Mr Mullooly stated: “We cannot continue to place the entire responsibility on parents to manage the consequences of business models designed to maximise engagement. If platforms cannot demonstrate that their services are safe for children, there should be meaningful restrictions on their access to minors.”

The local MEP said protecting children online is not about being anti-technology or denying young people the opportunities the digital world can offer. “It is about making sure that technology serves children rather than exploiting their vulnerabilities.”