The 'unrestricted run' of big technology companies needs to come to an end with a priority on online safety, the Children’s Rights Alliance has said.
The group is holding an event in Dublin with leading experts working in online safety.
"This timely event follows the recent publication by Coimisiún na Meán of the first Online Safety Code, and brings together thought-leaders on children’s rights, safety and wellbeing in the digital space," it says.
Children's Rights Alliance Online Safety Coordinator Noeline Blackwell told Newstalk Breakfast tech companies are not doing enough when it comes to online safety.
"At the moment everyone is saying 'No they're not' - but it's a question of what you consider their responsibility," she said.
"For the past 20/30 years the internet has been around and available to people and the big tech companies... have had an unrestricted run to explore all of that.
"There have been a lot of learning [and] a lot of advance in our societies as a result of it - but they haven't either had to prioritise things.
"During that time how to make a real monetary asset our of what's on the internet."
'Not properly regulated'
Ms Blackwell said almost every region is trying to tackle the issue of online safety.
"What is happening now is that too late in the day... Ireland, Europe, the rest of the world is recognising that we have to have system so that what the tech companies are selling are safe products," she said.
"Right now all the harms... are not properly regulated."
Ms Blackwell said the ultimate aim is not allow any companies operate within Europe "that don't sell safe products".
"Do you know you cannot sell a fridge in Europe at the moment that's not safe?
"The same is not true about the products that are sold by the tech companies.
"What we'll be looking at is how do you keep children's rights to get the best out of what the internet can offer - in terms of connecting, in terms of education - and at the same time ensure that the products that're being sold are safe."
"What we don't want is we don't want to put [it] all back on the children by saying, 'You can't touch any of that stuff' or on their parents".
'Egg on their faces'
Ms Blackwell said online safety is similar to regulating the banks.
"When the recession happened an awful lot of it was down to irresponsible lending by the banks," she said.
"There was some regulation in place but not enough.
"It took 100 years to get the banks into shape.
"Even the tech companies are realising that they have egg on their faces - I think they care because actually we have to buy their products.
"Somebody will make safer products and those are the ones we will be buying," she added.
Ms Blackwell added that while the issue won't be solved tomorrow "it is something that is moving very fast and that we have to be involved with".
