UK Government Unveils Sweeping Plans to Protect Children from Online Harms
The UK government is set to introduce a potential social media ban for children under 16, alongside restrictions on addictive applications, as part of a major initiative to enhance online safety for young people. A new consultation, titled the children’s digital wellbeing consultation, will launch next month to gather evidence on tackling the online harms crisis effectively.
Addressing Gaps in Current Legislation
While the Online Safety Act has implemented measures to shield children from illegal and harmful content online, campaigners argue that these laws remain insufficient, with technology companies often operating without adequate accountability. The forthcoming three-month consultation will prioritise input from parents and children, focusing on immediate needs rather than long-term delays.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has committed to swift action following the consultation, echoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pledge to act within "months, not years" to safeguard young people from the addictive nature of social media platforms.
Key Proposals Under Consideration
The government is exploring several measures to mitigate online risks for children:
- Social Media Ban: Inspired by recent moves in Australia and European nations like Spain, France, Denmark, and Austria, there is mounting pressure from over 60 MPs and bereaved parents to implement a ban for under-16s. However, concerns have been raised about potential unintended consequences, such as driving children towards unregulated internet spaces like chatrooms or gaming platforms.
- Curfews and App Caps: The consultation will examine imposing phone curfews and application caps, including limiting social media access to two hours per app or restricting use during school hours. Overnight curfews, such as blocking apps from 10pm until morning, are also under consideration, as highlighted by Ms Kendall's commitment to do "whatever it takes" for child safety.
- Doom-scrolling Restrictions: Addictive design features like 'streaks' and 'infinite scrolling' will be reviewed to prevent children from spending excessive time on their devices. These elements, which encourage prolonged engagement, have been identified as contributing to harmful online behaviours.
- Gaming Safeguards: Concerns about children interacting with strangers in online video games will be addressed, with proposals to introduce age caps on stranger pairing features in gaming platforms to enhance protection.
- Age of Digital Consent: The consultation will consider raising the digital age of consent from 13 to 16 years old, a move supported by figures like National Education Union chief Daniel Kebede, to prevent children from being targeted by addictive algorithms and data exploitation.
- VPN Limitations: To counteract circumvention of safety measures, the government may impose age restrictions or limits on children's use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which have seen a surge in downloads following the implementation of online safety laws.
- AI Chatbot Regulations: Plans include closing legal loopholes to protect children from harmful interactions with AI chatbots, building on recent actions against non-consensual intimate images generated by platforms like Elon Musk's Grok on X.
Broader Implications and Future Steps
This comprehensive approach reflects a growing recognition of the need for robust digital protections for young people. By involving stakeholders and learning from international examples, the UK aims to develop a balanced strategy that prioritises child welfare without stifling technological innovation. The outcomes of this consultation could reshape the online landscape for children, promoting safer and healthier digital environments.
