500 signatures reached
To: Taoiseach, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth of Ireland, Minister for Education, Minister for Health, Minister for Justice.
Gen Free : Free to be Kids Campaign - It's Time to Protect Children Online.
The ‘Gen Free: Free to be Kids’ campaign requests that the Irish government introduce measures to protect children online – and we need you to join us in taking action.
The campaign is not about asking parents to make changes (though we do recommend delaying the age at which children get access to smart devices).
The campaign is not about asking parents to make changes (though we do recommend delaying the age at which children get access to smart devices).
The campaign instead is about demanding that technology companies make their online platforms safe for children, and that if their apps/software etc do not meet a minimum safety requirement, that those companies will not be given access to children.
As articulated in the “Gen Free: Free to be Kids” campaign launched in Greystones, Wicklow on 17th Sept 2024, we need the laws to protect children from harm in the physical world to be extended and applied to the digital world. This is the only way to effectively safeguard children and young adults under the age of 18 online.
Internet service providers must be held accountable and responsible for creating an online environment that is safe by default using robust age verification measures.
The 3 asks below are the minimum actions needed to tackle this crisis and we are calling on you to commit to delivering these as a matter of priority & urgency in the next programme for government.
- Regulation – specific and effective legislation to protect children online.
- Education - digital media literacy in school, smartphone free primary & secondary schools (until effective legislation is in place), programmes for parents.
- Supports – funding & resources for public health awareness campaign, wellbeing training & support services for schools.
More details outlining why the 3 asks above need to be delivered can be found at genfree.ie.
HOW TO TAKE ACTION
There are TWO main ways to take action – please do both!
1. Please sign and share this petition.
2. Email ministers and your local TDs directly.
To make this as easy as possible, at www.genfree.ie there is a link to a template email on the 1st page which you can copy, paste and send to the ministers (email addresses provided) and to your local TDs.
This will only take a few minutes to do, and is the most effective way to make your voice heard.
Why is this important?
The evidence regarding the detrimental impact of unregulated access to the internet and social media on our children and young people is overwhelming. It is an evolving youth mental health crisis which is a societal challenge and requires leadership and political will to address.
In the words of Prof. Matthew Sadlier (Chair of the Irish Medical Organisation Consultants Committee) at the Gen Free launch in Greystones on Sept 17th, “The radical changes in behaviour of children that we have seen since the introduction of immersive digital technology is having an overwhelming harmful effect”.
In the words of Prof. Matthew Sadlier (Chair of the Irish Medical Organisation Consultants Committee) at the Gen Free launch in Greystones on Sept 17th, “The radical changes in behaviour of children that we have seen since the introduction of immersive digital technology is having an overwhelming harmful effect”.
Legislation is urgently needed and our campaign is now giving a clear call to action. Let’s make our voices heard and protect children online.
The time is now
With an election fast approaching, now is the time to get this on the agenda for every decision-maker and TD in the country.
#GenFree #FreetobeKids
Campaign coverage: https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0918/1470524-online-safety-children-campaign/
People and Organisations supporting this campaign;
People and Organisations supporting this campaign;
- Irish Medical Organisation, (IMO)
- Dr. Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist,
- Dr. Catherine Conlon, Senior Medical Officer, HSE,
- Prof. Mary Aiken, Professor of Cyberpsychology,
- Dr. Brigid Teevan, Doctor in Childhood Studies,
- Dr. Joanna Fortune, Psychotherapist & Clinical Author,
- Dr. Colman Noctor, Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist
- Dr. David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist & Author,
- CyberSafeKids,
- Temple Carrig Secondary School,
- It Takes a Village,
- Barnardos, Rahoo,
- Noone Cyber Services,
- Counselling Forward.
- A Path Appears.