Social media ban for under-16s 'on the table' if tech firms fail to act, says Government

Peter Kyle has told Ofcom to be more assertive with tech firms, as both he and the regulator ready themselves for new legal powers in the Online Safety Act to commence from the start of 2025

A ban on social media for under-16s is "on the table" if tech companies fail to protect children, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has warned.

He's gearing up to instruct Ofcom to take a tougher stance with tech firms as they brace for new powers under the Online Safety Act, set to kick in from 2025. The Act will impose safety duties on platforms, focusing on shielding users, especially children, from harmful content and cracking down on under-13s accessing inappropriate material.

Speaking with the Telegraph, Mr Kyle hinted at "another level of regulation" if firms don't enforce the Act effectively. While he's not keen on more legal changes before seeing the Act's impact, he's been monitoring Australia's discussions on social media age restrictions.

When quizzed about raising the UK's age limit to 16, Mr Kyle told the Telegraph: "When it comes to keeping young people safe, everything is on the table." As the government gets ready to roll out the Act, Mr Kyle has also released Ofcom's strategic priorities statement for the first time.

This says Ofcom should ensure the concept of “safety by design” is being followed by platforms from the start so more harm is caught before it occurs, and pushes for more transparency from tech firms on what harms are occurring on their platforms.

It also urges them to create digital worlds which are inclusive and resilient to harm, including from disinformation. Ofcom will also have to ensure it is “agile” in how it regulates the sector by monitoring and tackling emerging potential harms, such as AI, and embracing online safety technologies to also help improve user safety.

The Government said Ofcom will have to consider each of the stated priorities as it enforces the Act, and report back on what action it has taken to ensure safer online spaces are being delivered.

"Keeping children safe online is a priority for this Government. That is why today I will be the first secretary of state to exercise the power to set out my strategic priorities," declared Mr Kyle. He also revealed plans for a research initiative to better understand the effects of smartphones and social media on children.

Ian Russell, chairman of the Molly Rose Foundation, welcomed the new priorities as a "course correction" for the Online Safety Act, allowing Ofcom to take a more assertive stance, but he cautioned that further amendments to the legislation are still necessary.

The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF) was set up by Mr Russell and his family in memory of his daughter, Molly, who ended her life aged 14 in November 2017 after viewing harmful content on social media.

Mr Russell, Molly's father, said: "This announcement outlines a much-needed course correction, vital for improved online safety, and to prevent the new regulation falling badly short of expectations," adding that a new Online Safety Act is essential to fortify these efforts.

Maria Neophytou from the NSPCC noted the impactful potential on children's safety online, saying: "Through Childline, we hear daily from young people about the range of harms they are experiencing online, including online bullying, access to content encouraging suicide and eating disorders and child sexual abuse and exploitation."

She further asserted that companies need to expose and interrupt the hidden dangers of their platforms, particularly in private messaging: "Tech companies must be transparent about the harm happening on their platforms. They should be disrupting ‘safe havens’ for offenders by tackling the hidden abuse taking place through private messaging."

Neophytou endorses the Government's efforts to foster innovation that can detect and mitigate abuse proactively: "It is right that the Government is focusing on driving innovation and new technology that can identify and disrupt abuse and prevent harm from happening in the first place."

An Ofcom spokesperson declared: "Our resolve to create a safer life online for children and adults in the UK has never been stronger. We welcome the Government’s draft statement of strategic priorities for online safety which, once finalised, will help shape this important work."