Google UK Chief Issues Strong Warning Against Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Google's UK managing director Kate Alessi has issued a significant warning against proposals to ban social media access for children under sixteen, describing such measures as potentially counterproductive. Alessi emphasized that blanket restrictions could inadvertently drive young users toward more hazardous and unmonitored areas of the internet, rather than enhancing their digital safety.
Landmark Court Case and Planned Appeal
The intervention follows a pivotal United States court ruling last week, where both Meta, the parent company of Facebook, and Google were found legally responsible for a woman's childhood social media addiction. The court ordered the technology giants to pay six million dollars in damages, concluding they had intentionally engineered addictive products. Alessi confirmed that Google disagrees with this verdict and intends to pursue an appeal against the decision.
"We don't believe that's the right approach," stated Alessi regarding potential bans. "We believe blanket bans take choices away from parents and push kids out of supervised spaces."
Government Consultation and Industry Response
This discussion has gained urgency as the UK government actively consults on implementing an outright social media prohibition for under-sixteens. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has signaled readiness to act against features designed to foster addiction among young people. Alessi cautioned that following Australia's lead, which introduced a world-first under-sixteen ban in December, might yield unintended negative consequences for child welfare online.
Instead of prohibitive measures, Alessi advocated for implementing "appropriate guardrails" within platforms. YouTube, owned by Google, has recently introduced features aimed at mitigating addictive behaviors, including timers for its Shorts format, alongside customized "Bedtime" and "Take a break" functions for younger users.
"We want to make sure our products are built to be as safe as possible," Alessi affirmed. "We'll work with government and continue to partner with them as they work through this."
New AI Skills Initiative Launched Across Britain
Concurrently, Google announced a major community programme to boost artificial intelligence knowledge and professional skills nationwide. The initiative includes launching pop-up hubs, branded as Squeeze the Juice bars, in Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, and the Government's designated AI Growth Zones in Oxfordshire, the North East, Wales, and Lanarkshire.
These hubs will offer practical training on maximizing AI utility, featuring demonstrations on automating administrative tasks, utilizing agentic tools for research, and building effective social media presences. Additionally, Google is organizing a university campus tour and allocating nearly two million pounds through its Google.org charitable arm to support AI projects run by social enterprise Inco, children's charity Chance, and the Good Things Foundation.
Recent research commissioned by Google indicates only a quarter of AI users feel they derive significant value from the technology, with merely one in ten considering themselves advanced users. Alessi commented, "Unlocking real value means moving beyond basic adoption to 'squeeze the juice' from these tools. With AI Works for Britain, we'll bring practical AI skills to people in every corner of the UK – from juice bars to Jobcentres – to help them use AI to achieve their goals."
The dual announcements underscore Google's strategic focus on both navigating regulatory challenges around youth online safety and promoting technological literacy, positioning the firm at the center of critical debates about digital governance and innovation in Britain.
