Social media ban for under-16s ‘hypothesis’ – however ‘proper’ we take a look at potential harms, says minister

A ban on social media use for under-16s has been branded “speculation” – however the authorities should “continue to look at” the necessity to defend youngsters, a minister has stated.

Science minister Andrew Griffith dismissed as “speculation” reviews that social media entry may very well be curbed for some younger folks as a part of a “potential consultation” into the difficulty.

Ministers have reportedly been discussing the impression websites comparable to TikTok and Instagram have on younger folks’s wellbeing, and that underneath future plans, they might be compelled to hunt their dad and mom’ permission earlier than utilizing the social networks.

Asked by Sky News whether or not such proposals may ever be enforceable, Mr Griffith stated: “Well, we’re talking about speculation.”

He stated the federal government had already handed the Online Safety Act that “makes sure that those activities which are illegal offline are now also illegal online”.

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However, he went on to say there have been “genuine harms” on social media alongside the “good things”.

“I understand as a parent myself that parents feel very strongly about the need to protect our children from some of the ills in society that have been running rampant in the past on social media,” he stated.

“We’ve already taken motion, and it is proper that we proceed to take a look at that. I do not suppose you are ever going to say that job is finished.

“So the speculation is about a potential consultation in the new year.”

Pushed on whether or not a session was occurring, he stated: “I don’t think any of us know what’s happening and I wouldn’t comment on future consultations at this point in time.”

The Online Safety Act turned regulation in October and goals to make the UK “the safest place in the world to be online”.

Under the laws, guidelines have been imposed upon corporations comparable to Meta and Apple to make sure that they maintain inappropriate and probably harmful content material away from younger and susceptible folks.

An instance is materials that promotes suicide or self-harm, after a coroner ruled last year that it had contributed to teenager Molly Russell taking her personal life.

Read extra:
What is the Online Safety Bill, who is in favour, who opposes it, and how will it be enforced?
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The Act additionally goals to carry platforms liable for unlawful content material comparable to baby sexual abuse pictures, make grownup web sites correctly implement age limits, and cease underage youngsters from having the ability to create social media accounts.

Media regulator Ofcom is liable for implementing the brand new guidelines, with firms responsible for fines of as much as £18m or 10% of their annual world turnover for non-compliance – whichever is larger.

Firms and senior managers may be held criminally liable if discovered to not be doing sufficient to guard youngsters, whereas platforms may additionally be utterly blocked from working within the UK in probably the most excessive instances.