- UK confirms no plans to replicate Australia’s social media ban
- But the Culture Secretary said the government could consider it if it works.
- Australians under 16 are banned from using popular social media apps
It’s been less than 24 hours since Australia’s historic social media ban for under-16s came into effect, and the UK government is already being asked if it intends to do the same.
However, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed today (December 10) that the government has “no plans” to replicate the legislation. Speaking on Sky News, Nandy cited concerns about enforceability and the risk that banning access could “push young people elsewhere” online.
However, the door is not completely closed. In another appearance on BBC Breakfast, Nandy admitted that the government would “certainly consider it” as long as there was evidence that it worked and that young people trusted the process.
Is age-controlled content the right approach?
The United Kingdom made headlines earlier this year when it began enforcing the age verification provisions of its Online Safety Act.
Under these rules, platforms must ensure that users are over 18 before granting them access to inappropriate material. This has impacted a wide range of services, from adult sites and dating apps to social networks and user-generated content platforms.
But the measure has provoked violent reactions. Despite agreeing on the importance of protecting children online, privacy experts and digital rights advocates have heavily criticized mandatory age checks, calling them a dangerous “privacy trade-off.”
These privacy concerns have pushed many Brits to opt for the best VPNs to avoid age controls. Ofcom has recognized the challenge posed by circumvention tools such as VPNs and is currently monitoring their use.
Given this cat-and-mouse dynamic, it’s no surprise that UK officials are wondering whether Australia’s sweeping legislation may have an “applicability” problem.
Will completely banning teenagers from accessing social media be the next step in the UK? The UK Culture Secretary doesn’t seem convinced yet, but other influential figures are already aligning themselves with Canberra’s tougher stance.
Speaking to PoliticsHome, Joani Reid, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Child Safety Online (APPG), said: “Their principle is a fantastic thing, and if it is successful and implemented well, I hope the government will consider it.”
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