Social media ban for under-16s ‘on the table’ says UK government

A attainable ban on social media for under-16s within the UK is “on the desk”, the expertise secretary Peter Kyle has informed the BBC.

Talking on the As we speak programme, on BBC Radio 4, he stated he would “do what it takes” to maintain individuals and particularly kids protected on-line.

He additionally introduced additional analysis into the affect tech reminiscent of smartphones and social media was having on younger individuals, claiming there was at the moment “no agency, peer-reviewed proof”.

Kyle has spelt out his priorities in what he referred to as a “letter of strategic intent” to the regulator Ofcom, which is assuming extra powers under the Online Safety Act (OSA).

Marketing campaign group the Molly Rose Basis welcomed what it referred to as an “vital marker for Ofcom to be bolder” however stated that ought to not obscure the truth that the OSA wanted to be strengthened.

“Our analysis is obvious. The general public and fogeys again an up to date Act that embeds an overarching obligation of care on tech companies, and the Prime Minister should act rapidly and decisively to ship this unfinished job,” it said in a post on X.

The thought of legally limiting social media for younger individuals has come into the highlight after Australia’s government said it would introduce legislation to ban kids below 16 from social media.

Requested whether or not the UK would comply with swimsuit, Kyle stated “the whole lot is on the desk with me”, however stated he wished to see extra proof first.

He stated he was additionally centered on ensuring the powers contained within the OSA, which is coming into impact subsequent yr, had been used “assertively” by the regulator.

“I simply wish to guarantee that Ofcom is aware of that authorities expects them for use,” he informed the BBC.

The OSA calls for tech companies take extra duty for the content material on their platforms to guard kids from some authorized however dangerous materials.

Kyle stated he wished to see proof that tech companies had been delivering appropriate age verification for customers, and that the sector was transferring in the direction of having “security baked in from the outset.”

Social media and messaging platforms might face vital fines doubtlessly measured within the billions if they don’t adjust to the OSA.

It has already led to a spread of firms introducing vital adjustments to how they work – with Instagram creating new teen accounts in September, and Roblox banning young children from messaging others in November.

Nonetheless, critics have constantly stated the federal government must do extra.

In February, the mom of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey told the BBC it did not go far enough.

In addition to limiting social media for younger individuals, some counsel their use of smartphones must also be extra tightly managed.

Parliament is considering a private members bill which examines how you can make kids’s digital lives safer.

It is going to hear proof from a physique referred to as Healthcare Professionals for Safer Screens, which needs curbs on smartphones.

“Once I created this group, it was very a lot pushing on an open door,” stated founder and GP Rebecca Foljambe.

“There’s so many well being professionals who’re anxious about this.”

The federal government has stopped in need of banning smartphones in colleges however has issued steerage to make sure that all colleges implement efficient smartphone-free restrictions.

Peter Kyle informed the BBC in October he believed the battle over phone use in schools had been won.