One of the biggest challenges for our children and young people today is that of online safety. I am acutely aware of the dangers that it brings, and I am committed to playing my part in a co-ordinated Government response.
A range of Government Departments and agencies have a role in relation to internet safety. In recognition of the whole of government approach required, the Taoiseach launched the Action Plan for Online Safety in July 2018. The Action Plan involves a wide range of actions, across six Government Departments - Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Education and Skills; Justice and Equality; Children and Youth Affairs; Health; and Business Enterprise and Innovation.
The Action Plan recognises that online safety is not the responsibility of just one Department, and it deals with the full range and breadth of the issues involved. A Sponsors Group, involving the six Departments and chaired by the Department of Education and Skills, has been established to drive implementation of the Action Plan.
In relation to my own Department, Children First operates on the premise that child protection issues are the responsibility of all, and that child safety and welfare concerns must be dealt with as and where they arise. This responsibility includes keeping children safe from harm online. As part of the Action Plan for Online Safety, my Department committed to amending the Children First Guidance to include a specific reference to the need to consider online safety in the completion of a Child Safeguarding Statement.
An addendum to the Guidance, clarifying the need to consider online safety in the preparation of risk assessments and Child Safeguarding Statements, was finalised and published on my Department’s website in January. In addition, Tusla has revised its template for the completion of Child Safeguarding Statements to refer to the need to consider online risks to children if a service provides access to the internet.
I agree with the Deputy that self-regulation will not be sufficient, and that as a society we need to take action, including legislation. In this context, I am pleased to note that my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is preparing the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill at present.
I understand the intention is to bring the draft Heads of the Bill to Government by the end of this year, at which point I will have the opportunity to review the proposed content of the Bill.
I am very supportive of co-ordinated action across Government to protect our children and young people when using the internet, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure we do all we can in this area. The youngest members of our society deserve no less.
