‘Stand up to social media firms’

THE majority of the Irish public want the Government to take a firmer hand in regulating online platforms and services, according to a new poll.

The results of a survey by the Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA) sends a clear message that people do not want the Government to shy away from regulating social media and tech giants.

It revealed nine in ten people think the Government should stand up to the leading tech companies and set rules that protect the public from harmful or illegal use, while 86% agree that major tech firms have too much power and influence over politics and law.

More than 80% of those surveyed believe the Government is too frightened of big tech companies to make effective laws to control them, and seven in ten think the Government should introduce laws to hold social media companies responsible for content they allow on their platforms.

The research was carried out as part of the CRA’s 1 2 3 Online Safety Campaign, and the group’s chief executive, Tanya Ward, said the results are a damning reflection of tech companies.

‘The Irish public have had enough of the light-touch regulation that currently exists for big tech, social media and online platforms. These findings not only show support for online safety measures, but demand for them,’ Ms Ward said.

The survey showed wide support for an Online Safety Commissioner.

A total of 78% believe it is important the commissioner would have the power to remove content or accounts, enforced by the courts.

Ms Ward said: ‘With trust in legislation as an effective way to ensure platforms are held accountable, it is a clear opportunity for the Government’s Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, which is due for publication this term.

However, she added that ‘if the Bill is to live up to its name, it must include specific provisions for an Online Safety Commissioner’.