The code applies to tech giants with European headquarters in Ireland, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Elon Musk’s X, TikTok, and YouTube.
The new code, overseen by Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s media regulator, ends the era of self-regulation for social media companies. Platforms are now required to take down harmful content, such as videos promoting self-harm, eating disorders, terrorism, or racism.
In addition, they must enforce restrictions on minors’ access to adult content, including pornography and gratuitous violence, and introduce systems for users to report problematic content.
The Online Safety Code is part of Ireland’s compliance with EU audiovisual regulations, which aim to strengthen protections for children online and ensure accountability in digital spaces. Platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to €20 million or 10% of their annual revenue.
The general obligations must be met by November 19, while more specific rules, such as internal system tweaks, have a deadline of July 2025.
The code comes amid efforts in the EU to scrutinize social media’s impact on youth well-being, with discussions on introducing minimum age requirements for using platforms or blocking access to porn sites that fail to restrict minors.
