Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made a firm commitment to act with urgency, promising measures within "months, not years" to safeguard young people from the dangers of addictive social media platforms. This pledge comes amid growing calls for a ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, highlighting a national concern over online harms.
Government Consultation on Social Media Restrictions
A significant step in this direction will be a three-month consultation set to launch in March. This consultation will explore the potential banning of children from social media and the restriction of features like infinite scrolling, which are known to contribute to addictive behaviours. Supporters of this Australian-style ban argue that parents currently face an "impossible position" in protecting their children from pervasive online risks.
Regulating Big Tech and Enhancing Accountability
In parallel, online safety campaigners are advocating for stricter regulations on major technology firms, proposing a "conduct-based regime" similar to that used in banking. This approach would hold senior managers accountable for product safety risks, ensuring that companies prioritise user protection over engagement metrics.
During a visit to a community centre in London, Sir Keir emphasised his personal connection to the issue, referencing his own teenage children. He stated, "I don't think there's a parent in the country who isn't worried about this. The status quo is not good enough. Nobody can make the argument that things can be left as they are. They can't, they're not protective of children, and we intend to act."
Broader Online Safety Measures Proposed
To bolster online safety further, the Government has proposed additional measures, including restricting children's access to virtual private networks (VPNs) and AI chatbots. Sir Keir explained, "We've taken the powers to make sure we can act within months, not years. We also need to act very quickly, not just on the age concern, but on the devices and applications that make the sort of auto-scrolling, the constant glueing to the machine that you can never stop scrolling."
Parliamentary Efforts to Keep Pace with Technology
Earlier on Monday, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall suggested innovative approaches to keep Parliament aligned with rapid technological advancements. She pointed to the Finance Bill process as a model, where tax plans are swiftly enacted post-budget, proposing similar mechanisms for online safety legislation. Kendall noted, "We're going to have to start thinking in the same way around online safety so we constantly keep pace, so that we protect children, give them their childhood back, as well as preparing them for the future."
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Kendall highlighted the disparity between technological development and legal frameworks, stating, "Technology is developing much, much more quickly than the law is. We will definitely come forward with our proposals before the summer. We want to get the legislation right, whatever we decide to do in the end." She also expressed frustration over the lengthy passage of the Online Safety Act 2023, which imposed new duties on social media and search firms to combat illegal content.
Extending Online Safety Act to AI Chatbots
The Government plans to extend the duties of the Online Safety Act to cover one-to-one conversations with AI chatbots. Kendall told Times Radio, "We're taking steps so that any illegal content shared by AI chatbots, for anyone, adults too, will be stopped." This move aims to address emerging risks in digital communication.
Balancing Access to News and Safety Concerns
During his visit, Sir Keir was questioned by a 17-year-old about the potential conflict between lowering the voting age and imposing social media age limits, given that many young people rely on social media for news. He acknowledged this concern, saying, "I'm acutely aware of your point about news, because in politics, there's always been a heavy sort of focus on newspapers, but frankly, I don't think many people, and young people certainly, ever read newspapers any more, or even sit down as a family and watch the six or 10 o'clock news, it's much more likely to be through social media."
He stressed the importance of not cutting off "sensible, good access" to news for young people, indicating a nuanced approach to regulation that balances safety with information accessibility. This comprehensive strategy reflects the Government's commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by social media in the digital age.
