Children and Young People: Michael McGrath Calls for Stronger Youth Voice in EU Democracy and Online Safety

Children and young people must be heard where policy is made, not consulted as an afterthought. That was the central message from European Commissioner Michael McGrath in Dublin, where he addressed a high-level conference focused on the challenges facing young people in difficult settings, according to gov.ie.

Speaking at Dublin Castle, McGrath said children are not only citizens of today but the future leaders of Europe, and that democratic systems must reflect their voices now. The event, published by gov.ie through the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, brought together policymakers, practitioners and young participants to examine how children can take part in decisions that directly affect their lives.

gov.ie speech highlights children’s rights in EU policy

The gov.ie address placed strong emphasis on Article 24 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which recognises the rights of the child to protection, care and meaningful participation. McGrath said those rights also connect with education, equality and non-discrimination, making children’s participation a core part of modern European democracy.

He pointed to the 2021 EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child as a key framework shaping this work. According to the speech, the strategy was informed by feedback from more than 10,000 children and includes a major focus on participation, inclusion and protection.

• Children should be involved in political and democratic life
• Policy works better when young people help shape it
• Participation must reach children in all backgrounds and settings
• Schools, families and communities all play a role in democratic engagement

Child-friendly justice and online safety take centre stage

A major section of the gov.ie speech focused on child-friendly justice. McGrath said children involved in the justice system, whether as victims, witnesses or accused persons, require extra protection and support. He referenced recent EU legal reforms, including changes to victims’ rights and cross-border family law measures, while signalling that a new EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights is on the way later this year.

The wider context also matters for Irish public bodies and institutions that work across children’s services, justice and regulation, including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Tusla, An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board and the Department of Justice. In Ireland, discussion around children’s rights increasingly overlaps with agencies such as the Data Protection Commission (DPC), Citizens Information Board and HIQA, especially where vulnerable children need support across multiple services.

Why online safety is now a top policy issue

McGrath described online safety as one of the biggest current debates affecting children and young people. He said the European Commission is studying recommendations from a specialist panel on children’s online safety, including how age restrictions for social media could be approached at EU level.

He also linked that work to the planned Digital Fairness Act, which aims to protect users from unfair digital practices, manipulative design and harmful online experiences. Input from thousands of teenagers across the EU has already helped shape that proposal.

What the gov.ie conference means for Ireland and Europe

The gov.ie publication also reflects a wider policy direction that aligns with the work of the Department of the Taoiseach, Social Protection, Education, Health, Further and Higher Education, and Children/Disability/Equality. As youth participation becomes more central to public policy, institutions from the Revenue Commissioners and CSO to Coimisiún na Meán and the Office of Public Works (OPW) are part of a wider state ecosystem shaping public services and civic life.

McGrath concluded by urging children and young people to keep sharing ideas, voting on solutions and influencing the policies that will define their futures. The clearest takeaway from the gov.ie speech is that stronger democracies depend on listening to younger voices early, seriously and consistently.

Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie