Online safety

Coimisiún na Meán (this means the media commission) is the new regulator of online safety in Ireland.

Coimisiún na Meán has developed an Online Safety Code (pdf) to make digital services accountable for protecting children and adults from online harm. It has powers to assess and enforce video-sharing platforms’ compliance with the Code.

The Online Safety Code (pdf) sets out how video-sharing platforms must protect adults and especially children, from online harm. The Code sets rules that video-sharing platforms must follow by law.

Who the Code applies to

The Code applies to video-sharing platforms who have their European headquarters in Ireland.

The following video-sharing platforms are covered by the Code:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Reddit
• TikTok
• Tumblr
• Udemy
• X
• YouTube

Summary of the main rules

Under the Code video sharing platforms must:

• Update their terms and conditions to ban the uploading or sharing of certain harmful videos and content on their services (see more below).
• Use age checks to prevent children from seeing pornography or extreme violence online.
• Offer parental controls for content that could harm the physical, mental, or moral development of children under 16. This includes setting time limits, or restrictions on who can view a child’s content, or who’s content they can view.
• Have ways for people to report content that break the rules and act on those reports.
• Publish an annual action plan on actions they will take to promote media literacy to their users.

You can read the full Online Safety Code (pdf).

Types of harmful content the Code tackles

The Code covers the following types of harmful content:

• Cyberbullying
• Promoting self-harm or suicide
• Promoting eating or feeding disorders
• Inciting hatred or violence
• Terrorism
• Child sex abuse material
• Racism
• Xenophobia

Effective dates of Code rules

Part A of the Code covers general rules for video content that:

• Harms the physical, mental, or moral development of children
• Incites hatred or violence based on things like sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation
• Includes EU criminal content (like child sexual abuse material, terrorism, racism, or xenophobia that promotes hate or violence)
• Involves harmful or illegal ads in videos

Video-sharing platforms must comply with Part A of the Code from 18 November 2024.

Part B of the Code covers more detailed rules for video content that:

• Is cyberbullying, promoting or sharing methods of self-harm or suicide (including dangerous challenges), and promoting eating disorders
• Incites hatred or violence based on factors like sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or membership in the Traveller or Roma communities
• Includes EU criminal content (like child sexual abuse material, terrorism, racism, or xenophobia that promotes hate or violence)
• Is harmful or illegal ads in videos
• Includes restricted user-generated content (such as harmful comments or captions)
• Is adult-only content, like pornography or extreme violence

Video-sharing platforms must comply with Part B of the Code by 21 July 2025.

New offences introduced by the Code

Video-sharing platforms can face strong penalties if they don’t follow the rules of the Code. Penalties include fines of up to €20 million or 10% of annual turnover, whichever is higher.

How the Code is enforced

Coimisiún na Meán will monitor platforms to make sure they follow the rules in the Code.

If a video-sharing platform breaks the Code rules, Coimisiún na Meán can investigate and take enforcement action.

You have the right to make a complaint against online platforms if you see harmful or illegal content, need to report a violation of terms, or have concerns about targeted ads.

If you are worried about something you or your child sees online, report it to the platform first.

If you need help with this or more information, visit Coimisiún na Meán’s website.

Keep your child safe online

Understanding the risks your child may face online is crucial.

Dangers include the loss of privacy, exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and online grooming.

Learn about the apps they use and discuss:

• Adjusting security and privacy settings
• Blocking or unfriending unwanted contacts
• Deleting profiles and accounts
• Dealing with inappropriate content

Help keep your child safe online by using:

• Parental controls to manage your child’s online activities
• Filters to restrict their access to specific content, using tools such as SafeSearch
• Time tracker tools to monitor their social media with available app features

Coimisiún na Meán has information and an FAQ for parents about online safety.

Protect yourself online

As adults, staying safe online is essential with the growing number and sophistication of cybercrimes.

Learn how to avoid scams, especially when shopping online. Verify the company is legitimate and only use secure ways to pay. Be especially careful about transferring money to people or websites you do not know.

Read detailed information about online safety on the Coimisiún na Meán’s website.

The Department of Justice and Equality has more information about the Cybercrime division and Government’s Action Plan for Online Safety (pdf).

The An Garda Síochána website has a local Garda station directory.