The Dáil discussed the Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026 on Wednesday, a proposal designed to limit the impact of social media algorithms on young users. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the bill would “turn off toxic social media algorithms” that he described as “force feeding toxic content at our young people.”
Speaking in the chamber, Mr Murphy argued that lawmakers faced a clear choice between protecting children’s health and prioritising the interests of social media companies. He said the legislation would disable recommender algorithms for users under 18 and set them to “off by default” for adults. Users over 18 would have the option to opt in to the algorithms if platforms provided a transparent explanation of how they operate.
“This is the bill that will significantly deal with the toxic content,” he told the Dáil, adding that social media should return to its original purpose as a space for connecting with friends and building communities. Instead, he said, it has created a “major public health challenge.”
Mr Murphy criticised the Government for resisting the bill, accusing ministers of bowing to the influence of social media companies. He said platforms prioritised keeping users engaged for longer periods to maximise advertising revenue, placing profits above the safety of children.
The Government, however, confirmed it would not allow the bill a second reading, stating that the concerns raised are “already being addressed by Coimisiún na Meán.” Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said Ireland is collaborating with European partners to ensure a coherent regulatory framework that safeguards consumers and vulnerable groups. He added that online safety would remain “front and centre” during Ireland’s EU presidency.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman expressed support for the bill, saying the discussion highlighted the need for Ireland to lead in ensuring social media firms respect individual rights. “Recommender algorithms are vehicles for the most extreme, toxic content available on the internet,” he said, calling for stronger measures to protect users, particularly young people.
Mr Murphy dismissed the Government’s stance as a pretense, claiming ministers avoided directly voting down the bill because of its popularity among backbench TDs. He reiterated that the legislation could substantially reduce exposure to harmful content while allowing adults to make informed choices about algorithmic recommendations.
The Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026 is scheduled for a vote later this evening, with lawmakers expected to decide whether to give formal approval to the proposed restrictions on social media platforms.
