It looks like anyone under the age of 14 will not be able to access a mobile phone with internet, according to a new bill being drafted. As reported in the The Journal, the Internet Access for Minors Bill 2017 is being put in place to try and encourage manufacturers to create more child-friendly phones.
If the law passes, your average phone shop could get fined up to €100 for selling phones to minors. Fine Gael’s Jim Daly, spoke on RTÉ's Morning Ireland about just how dangerous it is for young nippers to have access to the internet.
"Essentially you’re giving your child of seven or eight years of age a mobile device that allows them to access unlimited pornography of every type."
Daly said that parents giving their kids access to mobile phones will also be penalised and likened owning a mobile phone at that age to consenting to your child "viewing pornography." This could mean that your parents could get fined just for allowing your younger brother or sister own a phone. He also said a huge reason for creating the law was to try and put a stop to cyberbullying.
As Daly was previously a school principal, he mentioned the impact cyberbullying has on young kids today. He said, 'I am very conscious and very aware of the challenges and dangers posed'.
Although cyber bullying is a huge issue at the moment, is there a need to completely rip the phone away from a 13-year old? Most of us were in First or Second Year in school at this stage, and all of us owned a phone, regardless or the speed of internet at the time.
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Daly, as well as the chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, have both said they both expect lots of backlash from the bill. Daly has said that child safety online is the most important challenge for parents today.
Do you think this age limit is fair or is it a step too far?
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