UK regulators have officially rejected the proposal for a total social media ban for children under 16. Instead, they are putting tech giants in the spotlight, demanding that platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram must demonstrate exactly how they are keeping young users safe. The UK’s online safety watchdogs – Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – sent a joint “open letter” to the world’s biggest social media companies, giving them until April 30 to report on their progress.
“Our message to platforms is simple: act today to keep children safe online. There’s now modern technology at your fingertips, so there is no excuse not to have effective age assurance measures in place. Platforms need to be ready to demonstrate what they’re doing to keep underage children out and safeguard those children that are old enough to access their services,” said Paul Arnold, ICO Chief Executive Officer.
The move comes after British lawmakers voted against a proposed blanket ban earlier this month. Rather than cutting children off from the internet, regulators are now focusing on “stricter enforcement” of existing safety laws.
