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In a significant move for online safety, various campaign groups are advocating for a more nuanced approach to social media access for individuals under 16. Led by organisations including the NSPCC, Molly Rose Foundation, and Smartphone Free Childhood, the coalition is urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to impose restrictions on access to social media platforms based on their safety features, rather than enforcing a blanket ban.
A Call for Safety Standards
The campaigners assert that a formal age restriction would create a dangerous “cliff edge” for teenagers, potentially exacerbating the challenges they face online. Instead, they are advocating for a system that would enable under-16s to access social media only if the platforms in question comply with stringent safety standards. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the groups highlighted the need to eliminate “risky” features such as infinite scrolling, disappearing messages, and push notifications, which they believe could have detrimental effects on young users.
“We are asking you to act now to require tech platforms to meet strict safety standards to continue to offer their services to under-16s,” the letter stated. This represents a shift from a binary debate about banning children from social media entirely, to a more comprehensive approach that assesses the safety of each platform.
Learning from Australia’s Example
Campaigners have pointed to Australia, where regulations restrict under-16s from accessing certain applications like Instagram and TikTok if they enable social interaction or allow user-generated content. However, UK advocates propose a more tailored framework that evaluates platforms based on their safety measures rather than imposing strict age limits across the board.
As the UK government prepares to close a consultation on new online safety measures, which includes the potential for an under-16 ban, these calls for a more nuanced approach are increasingly critical. The consultation also explores whether features such as livestreaming and location sharing should be restricted, with a focus on enhancing safety for young users.
The Future of Online Safety Legislation
The campaigners envision a system where applications would need to undergo thorough vetting before being accessible to users under 16. Additionally, new features would require safety assessments prior to their launch. The regulatory framework, overseen by Ofcom under the Online Safety Act, is positioned to play a crucial role in shaping the future of social media safety.
Joe Ryrie, director of Smartphone Free Childhood, emphasised the importance of aligning civil society around the principle that access to children should be treated as a privilege that must be earned. This sentiment is echoed by Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, who stressed the need for safe app design to be a prerequisite for tech companies operating in the UK.
Government’s Commitment to Online Safety
A government spokesperson acknowledged the collective aim to protect children online, stating, “It is not a question of whether we will act, but how.” This signals a potential shift in the regulatory landscape as the UK contemplates its next steps in ensuring the safety of young social media users.
Why it Matters
As the digital landscape evolves, the calls from these campaigners highlight a critical juncture in online safety legislation. By prioritising safety standards over blanket bans, there is potential to create a more protective environment for young users without completely isolating them from the benefits of social media. This approach not only addresses immediate safety concerns but also encourages tech companies to innovate responsibly, fostering a culture of accountability that could reshape the future of online interactions for generations to come.
