New Report Shows Government Way Behind Industry Tactics in bid to Protect Children from Harmful Online Marketing - 12/12/2025

On the day that Australia’s world-leading under-16 social media ban due to child safety concerns came into effect, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), the national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm, launched a new report - Digital and social media marketing of alcohol - detailing the nature and scale of digital and social media alcohol marketing and the exposure of children and young people to alcohol as a result. The widespread adoption of digital technologies and online social networks has revolutionised the way marketers engage with consumers which has brought new, and ever evolving, issues in relation to child protection in the online space, including the marketing of harmful products such as alcohol to children and teenagers. AAI’s new report brings together national and international research outlining how digital alcohol marketing employs subtle tactics, including influencer marketing, sponsored content, and user-generated content, which effectively promotes drinking behaviours among young people. CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, Sheila Gilheany, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.