Govt to confirm plans for social media age restrictions (www.rte.ie)

The Irish Government is set to unveil its plans for introducing age restrictions on social media usage as part of a comprehensive Digital and AI Strategy. This initiative aims to enhance online safety by implementing legislation that will restrict access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 16. As part of the approach, Ireland will pilot an age verification tool to assess its practicality in real-world scenarios. Although the Government prefers a coordinated effort at the European level, it is prepared to act independently if necessary, emphasizing the urgency of ensuring that legislation remains effective in light of advancing AI technologies that can breed intimidation and harassment online. This proposed strategy is significant for the AI/ML community as it calls for ongoing scrutiny of AI practices under the EU AI Act, particularly those related to harmful or abusive uses. As social media platforms increasingly rely on AI for content moderation and user engagement, establishing robust age verification mechanisms could necessitate advancements in AI technologies. The move highlights the balancing act between leveraging AI for innovation while safeguarding users, especially vulnerable populations like children, from potential risks associated with AI-fueled communications.