The Media Minister expects to have a new service established by 2024, tasked with handling complaints about certain online content.
An expert group has recommended an 'individual complaints mechanism' be set up as part of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, which is currently going through the legislative process.
The group also recommended introducing the mechanism on a phased basis - first dealing with cyberbullying complaints involving children.
Delighted to see that the EWG has recommended the inclusion of an individual complaints mechanism in the upcoming #OnlineSafetyBill and particularly the prioritisation of complaints involving children. It is a step in the right direction @cathmartingreen @ChildRightsIRL https://t.co/TVrt6y9WDq
— CyberSafeKids (@CyberSafeKidsIE) September 20, 2022
Minister Catherine Martin says the commission will work with complaints that breach four main codes: "There are four categories, as defined in the legislation.
"So, it's cyberbullying, it's the promotion of eating disorders, it's the promotion of suicide or knowledge of means of suicide.
"They are the categories that we are looking at."
The news has been received with much appreciation, with charities such as ISPCC moving to welcome the report.
ISPCC welcomes the report of Expert Group on Individual Complaints Mechanism and will continue to work to ensure the #OSMR meets the needs of children and young people, and that the complaint handling mechanism is realised. https://t.co/D5rtmLLOeq #ispcc https://t.co/iQO4sO4cwJ
— ISPCC (@ISPCCChildline) September 20, 2022
