The Minister for Communications has announced new plans aimed at improving online safety.

Minister Richard Bruton aims to introduce a new Online Safety Commissioner – with powers to fine and issue criminal proceedings against any company that fails to remove harmful content.

In a speech in Kildare this morning, Minister Bruton will say it is time to move away from self-regulation by social media giants like Facebook and Twitter.

“The situation at present where online and social media companies are not subject to any oversight or regulation by the State for the content which is shared on their platforms is no longer sustainable,” he said.

“I believe that the era of self-regulation in this area is over and a new Online Safety Act is necessary.”

He said the plan would require clear definitions regarding harmful content and outlined a number of areas he said are “clear examples of what can be considered harmful.”

These include:

• Serious cyber bullying – including content that is seriously threatening, seriously intimidating, seriously harassing or seriously humiliating.
• Material which promotes self-harm or suicide.
• Material designed to encourage “prolonged nutritional deprivation” that could expose someone to risk of death or endanger health.

He noted that companies are already required to remove any content banned under Irish or EU law – including material that incites violence, hatred or terrorism; child sexual abuse material or racist and xenophobic content.

“While the Gardaí will continue to be responsible for investigating and prosecuting these offences, it is important that platforms take preventative steps to protect victims of such offences,” he said.

Listen: Minister Bruton explains what impact the new act will have for social media companies.

"Wild west"

On Newstalk Breakfast, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, said she is “very much in favour” of the plan.

“I think to date the digital world and online world has really become a wild west where there has been no regulation or very poor regulation of big tech companies,” she said.

“I suppose, a lot of the focus has been on educating parents or educating children and young people on how to be safe on the online world.

“But we have really taken the focus off service providers and organisations providing services.”

Harmful content

Under the proposals, the new commissioner will be empowered to examine and certify the safety standards a company has in place.

It would also act as an appeals body if a company fails to take down any harmful content after a complaint.

The commissioner would be empowered to fine an outlet, seek and enforce its decision and issue criminal proceedings against the company where necessary.

The Safety Commissioner would also have a role in regulating video content online to make sure there are parental controls and age verification systems on websites.

The office would also operate a name and shame list of companies that refuse to co-operate with it.

Technology

“Many parents find it difficult to keep up with the latest technology, or the latest app,” said Minister Bruton.

“That is understandable given how quickly online games and technology can evolve. To me it emphasises why the establishment of an Online Safety Commissioner is so important

“While it would be impossible to remove every danger from the internet or from the adaptation of new technology, what we need to do is to ensure that parents and children are better equipped, that the state can provide regulation and enforcement, and that online platforms take responsibility.”

Online safety

The plan would also see companies required to operate an online safety code which sets out the steps they are taking to keep users safe online.

Minister Bruton said the plans will be published this afternoon, with the public given to opportunity to offer their thoughts on the options over the next six weeks.

“I urge all parents and students, all teachers, all industry and groups who have views on these issues and who have concerns about possible impacts to make their views known so that we can take them into account as we develop legal proposals which are implementable,” he said.

He said he will then bring the proposals to Government, “setting out a detailed plan for how we will make progress.”