On April 3, the Irish government launched a test version of a digital wallet that includes an age verification feature aimed at ensuring the safety of teenagers online. This was reported by Bloomberg.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform stated that the digital ID will simplify the process of confirming adulthood, which is expected to help protect children and young people from the harms of social media.

Ireland hosts the European headquarters of many of the world's largest tech companies and is among several countries seeking to restrict social media access for minors.

This movement gained momentum after Australia restricted access to these platforms for children under 16 in January.

In Ireland, officials believe that age verification will be a step towards a broader ban on platforms managed by tech giants like Meta.

Previously, Finance Minister Simon Harris described the presence of teenagers on social media as a "serious public health issue," citing the impact of these platforms on mental health.

The new digital wallet can store digital versions of birth certificates, driver's licenses, and other official documents. All EU member states are required to implement such a system by the end of 2026, but each country can choose how to apply it.

Are Social Media Harmful?

Experts have repeatedly expressed concerns about the negative effects of social media on teenagers. In May 2023, the president of the American Psychological Association, Thema Bryant, stated that social media use should be assessed through the lens of maturity, as young users "struggle more with psychological risks."

According to Hans Kluge, the regional director of WHO Europe, the issue of social media use is growing and poses serious concerns for the health and well-being of youth.

"Clearly, social media can have both positive and negative consequences. That’s why it’s so important to teach digital literacy skills. However, in many countries, this education is insufficient, and where it is available, it often fails to keep pace with children's development and technological progress," the expert noted.

Johannes Trul, an associate professor at Bloomberg School, emphasized that social media is dangerous due to the lack of transparency regarding the impact of algorithms. Independent researchers cannot fully assess the harm.

According to psychologist Lisa Damour, teenagers should delay access to social media for as long as possible, as the main issue lies in algorithms that promote harmful content.

Digital ID Initiatives

In recent years, many countries have been launching new digital identity systems. These are being implemented by both public and private entities, including banks, universities, and IT corporations.

These services allow citizens to use electronic documents through online platforms but also create risks for personal security.

In response, a movement advocating for a conscious rejection of digital identifiers and AI assistants is gaining traction online. This emerging social group prioritizes "opacity" over convenience.

As a reminder, in July 2025, China launched digital identity cards for online use.