Navigating AI Regulations: Ireland's Tough Stance on Child Protection and Online Harms Amid EU AI Act Rollout

Introduction to Ireland's Regulatory Approach to AI and Online Safety In February 2026, Ireland's National Digital and AI Strategy, "Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future," placed a strong emphasis on protecting children and young people from online harms, particularly those amplified or enabled by artificial intelligence. As the EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) begins its phased rollout—with full application for most provisions by August 2026—Ireland has adopted a proactive, child-centered stance. This includes exploring age restrictions on social media for under-16s, strengthening enforcement through Coimisiún na Meán (the Media Commission), and advocating for EU-level enhancements to prohibit AI-generated harmful content like non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The strategy integrates online safety as a core priority across its policy pillars, especially in the "Lead" ambition for regulatory excellence and the "Empower" pillar for skills and inclusion. It commits to working with like-minded EU Member States on age assurance measures, while domestically preparing for evidence-based restrictions if needed. This reflects growing concerns over AI's role in generating deepfakes, cyberbullying, grooming, and other harms, as highlighted by recent incidents involving generative AI tools. A lesser-known detail is the strategy's call for a national network of Digital Citizenship Champions in schools to promote online safety awareness, alongside resources to combat AI-enabled risks. During Ireland's EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2026, the government plans to prioritize child protection in digital policy discussions, potentially pushing for amendments to the AI Act's prohibited practices list under Article 5. Background: The Convergence of AI Risks and Online Harms for Children Ireland's regulatory journey builds on existing frameworks like the Online Safety Code (adopted by Coimisiún na Meán in 2024 under the transposed Audiovisual Media Services Directive), the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These already impose obligations on platforms to protect minors from harmful content, including age assurance for pornography or gratuitous violence, and prohibitions on cyberbullying, self-harm promotion, and CSAM. The EU AI Act introduces a risk-based classification: banning certain high-risk AI practices outright (e.g., manipulative systems), classifying others as high-risk with strict requirements, and promoting transparency for general-purpose AI models. While the Act acknowledges children's vulnerability—particularly in prohibitions on systems exploiting vulnerabilities—it has been criticized for not being sufficiently child-focused. Ireland's implementation seeks to address this gap, designating Coimisiún na Meán as a competent authority for enforcement alongside the Data Protection Commission (DPC). Recent events, such as concerns over generative AI tools producing non-consensual explicit images (including of minors), have intensified calls for action. Investigations by the DPC into platform compliance and joint statements from data protection authorities highlight risks of exploitation, cyberbullying, and mental health harms. Ireland's approach balances innovation with protection, recognizing AI's potential benefits while mitigating amplified harms like deepfakes, grooming via chatbots, and algorithmic promotion of dangerous content. Economically and societally, Ireland hosts many tech platforms, making it a key enforcement hub under the DSA and AI Act. The strategy aims to maintain this position while leading on child safety, aligning with global trends in Australia, France, and elsewhere toward stricter age limits. The EU AI Act Rollout and Ireland's Implementation Strategy The AI Act's timeline includes bans on prohibited practices from February 2025, high-risk system rules from 2026-2027, and full GPAI obligations by 2027. Ireland's Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 establishes the AI Office of Ireland to coordinate enforcement, with a distributed model leveraging sectoral regulators like Coimisiún na Meán for online harms. Key child-related provisions: Prohibition on AI systems that exploit age vulnerabilities or manipulate behavior harmfully. High-risk classifications for AI in education, employment, or critical infrastructure affecting minors. Transparency requirements for generative AI to label content and mitigate misuse (e.g., deepfakes). Ireland advocates adding AI-generated intimate abuse images to Article 5 prohibitions during its Presidency. The strategy includes agile enforcement, public training, and collaboration on age restrictions for social media. Coimisiún na Meán's role expands to cover AI-generated harms, with powers for fines, interim measures, and content removal. This dual mandate ensures cohesive regulation of online platforms and AI systems. Ireland's Tough Stance on Child Protection: Age Restrictions and Online Harms The strategy commits to exploring age restrictions on social media, focusing on under-16s, through age verification and assurance. Ireland will not immediately impose a national ban but will advocate for an EU "digital age of majority" while preparing domestic action if needed. This includes: Piloting digital wallets (building on MyGovID and EUDI Wallet) for age verification on restricted platforms. Evidence-based approaches, drawing from international research on mental health impacts (anxiety, depression, self-harm). Collaboration with France and others for harmonized measures. Online harms priorities: Strengthening prohibitions on cyberbullying, self-harm promotion, eating disorders, and CSAM under the Online Safety Code. Enhancing reporting mechanisms and parental controls. Addressing AI-specific risks: deepfakes, grooming chatbots, hyper-personalized harmful content. Lesser-known initiatives include school-based online safety resources and Digital Citizenship Champions to foster resilience from an early age. Key Policy Pillars Addressing Child Protection Online Safety Pillar Focuses on evidence-based age restrictions, platform accountability for child exposure to pornography or violence, and AI-enabled harm mitigation. Digital Regulation Pillar The AI Office coordinates EU AI Act enforcement, with emphasis on child-vulnerable systems. Skills and Talent Pillar Builds foundational AI literacy and digital citizenship, including safety awareness in curricula. Public Services and Enterprise Pillars Integrate child-safe AI in services and promote responsible adoption. Specific Initiatives and Lesser-Known Details National network of Digital Citizenship Champions for peer education on online risks. Advocacy for prohibiting AI-generated CSAM and non-consensual images. Integration with the Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights (signed by EU/Ireland). Monitoring via observatories for emerging AI harms to children. Challenges and Mitigation Strategies Challenges include enforcement across borders, age verification privacy concerns, and balancing free expression with safety. Mitigations: Privacy-by-design in verification tools. Multi-stakeholder collaboration. Annual progress reporting and agile updates. Risks like overreach are addressed through evidence-based, proportionate measures. Future Outlook: Ireland Leading EU Child Protection in the AI Era During the 2026 Presidency, Ireland will host summits prioritizing child safety, pushing for stronger AI Act amendments and harmonized age rules. By 2030, the strategy envisions a safer digital environment, reducing harms while fostering innovation. Conclusion Ireland's tough stance on child protection amid the EU AI Act rollout demonstrates commitment to safeguarding vulnerable users from online and AI-enabled harms. Through age assurance exploration, enhanced enforcement, and EU advocacy, the National Digital and AI Strategy positions Ireland as a leader in ethical, inclusive digital governance. Authentic Source References Government of Ireland. (2026). Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future. Retrieved from https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/campaigns/digital-ireland-connecting-our-people-securing-our-future Department of the Taoiseach. (2026). Press Release: Government publishes new Digital and AI Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/press-releases/government-publishes-new-digital-ai-strategy-90-actions-to-strengthen-irelands-position-as-a-digital-leader-and-ai-hub William Fry. (2026). Ireland Sets Out its Approach to Social Media Age Restrictions in Updated Digital & AI Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.williamfry.com/knowledge/ireland-sets-out-its-approach-to-social-media-age-restrictions-in-updated-digital-ai-strategy RTÉ News. (2026). Government working with other EU countries on social media ban. Retrieved from https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2026/0218/1559033-social-media-restrictions Office of the Ombudsman for Children. (2025). Policy spotlight on AI: A Children's Rights Review. Retrieved from https://www.oco.ie/app/uploads/2025/09/OCO-AI-Policy-Spotlight-report.pdf Coimisiún na Meán. (2024). Online Safety Code. 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