New child safety laws may provide online safety commissioners powers to heavily fine social media giants

Online safety commissioners in Ireland may be granted new powers that may allow them to fine or even press criminal charges on social media firms if they breach rules. The breaches include allowing underage children to use their services without parental control, cyber bullying, posting videos that promote self-harm, anorexia or suicide, etc.  The new law was formulated after the ‘Momo’ scare. Communications Minister Richard Bruton has stated that the exact penalties are yet to be framed by the government post a six-week ‘consultation period’ with technology companies, privacy advocates, and child protection agencies.