Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has rejected criticism of the Government’s decision to set the digital age of consent at 13 years, the minimum possible for the European Union. Other countries such as France and Germany have set it at the maximum allowable of 16. Speaking to the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, Mr Flanagan said the Government had chosen 13 as the age of digital consent after consulting with experts. The aim was to achieve a balance, given the different levels of maturity among teenagers. “People shouldn’t be getting hung up on age. They should be looking at the protections available and the threats associated with cyberbullying and grooming.”