News|Social MediaUK to consider Australia-style ban on social media for childrenUK ministers will visit Australia to gather information on the first-ever social media ban for under-16s implemented last month.
The UK government has initiated a consultation to explore the possibility of implementing a social media ban for minors, similar to recent measures adopted in Australia. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance online safety for children.
The UK government has initiated a consultation to explore the possibility of implementing a social media ban for minors, similar to recent measures adopted in Australia. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance online safety for children.
The consultation will review global evidence on various proposals aimed at protecting minors online. This includes assessing the effectiveness of a potential social media ban and determining the best methods for its implementation, should it be considered viable.
As part of the information-gathering process, UK officials will visit Australia. Australia recently became the first nation to prohibit social media access for individuals under 16 years of age, and the UK aims to learn from their approach.
The consultation will consider several options, including:
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance online safety for children.
Raising the digital age of consent Implementing phone usage curfews Restricting potentially addictive design features like 'streaks' and 'infinite scrolling'
The UK government is also addressing concerns related to artificial intelligence. Plans are underway to ban AI nudification tools and prevent the sharing and viewing of nude images by minors.
Ongoing discussions highlight the need for improved age verification measures and a reassessment of the current digital age of consent, which is set at 13 years.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.