Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free

The use of mobile devices and smart phones is part of the lives of children and young people. Though there are many benefits and positive aspects to the use of these technologies, there are also risks associated with their misuse, abuse and overuse. Concerns have been raised with regard to risks for children in primary schools.

Age of Digital Consent

It is important for parents to be aware that in Ireland, the Age of Digital Consent is 16.  

The digital age of consent is the minimum age a user must be before a social media or internet company can collect, process and store their data.  

The digital age of consent is higher than the age you need to be to create a social media profile on platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok.  

For the purposes of data collection teenagers between the age of 13 and 16 years old must have parental permission to sign-up to social media services. 

Most social media platforms and services have a minimum age requirement, for the majority of these services it is 13 years old and some are set at 16 (WhatsApp). 

Therefore technically, children under the age of 13 should not have a social media account.

Parents should be aware that it is quite easy for children to bypass those age restrictions by claiming that they are older than they are when setting up an account.