{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/6a326bb40eff83152156a667?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Children Will Use 'Workarounds' to Access Social Media if Age Restriction is Introduced, Experts Warn - 17/06/2026","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/1781685980730-7dc8fc95-c98f-4e43-ad21-6337883e07ae.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The Government is expected to bring proposals for age verification on social media platforms to Cabinet next month, as policymakers continue to explore ways of improving online safety for children and teenagers.</p><p><br></p><p>The move comes amid growing international efforts to limit young people's access to social media, with Britain this week announcing plans for tougher restrictions on under-16s.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>However, experts are warning that enforcing any age restriction may prove difficult in practice.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Stephen McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in Business Information Systems at University College Cork, says there will always be challenges when it comes to verifying age online and that any new system is likely to face attempts to circumvent it.</p><p><br></p><p>Stephen joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss this some more.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}