OCO Submission on the Regulation of Harmful Content on Online Platforms

In March 2019, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment initiated a public consultation on the regulation of harmful content on online platforms and the implementation of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).

The stated aim of this consultation is “to seek the views of citizens and stakeholders as to an achievable, proportionate and effective approach to regulating harmful content, particularly online”.

The primary purpose of this submission is to highlight the State’s obligations to children, in particular under the UN Convention Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and with regard to the related areas of children’s rights online and children’s rights and business.

The OCO is of the view that the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) needs to consider and seek to give effect to children’s rights in the context of developing proposals for an Online Safety Act and the establishment of an Online Safety Commissioner.

• Aibreán 2019
• Cineál: Taisceadh
• Ábhar: Cosaint Leanaí, Ar line