UK to Make Social Media Safer for Children

The UK government is making new rules to help keep children safe online. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants social media sites to be better and safer for young people. Changes will look at AI, how sites are designed, and protecting children's information.
By Newsroom | Technology, United Kingdom |

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a significant move to bolster online safety for children, vowing to close existing legal gaps that allow harmful content and practices on social media platforms. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns about the impact of the digital world on young people, aiming to position the UK as a global leader in online protection. The proposed measures include tackling the risks posed by AI chatbots, addressing addictive platform design, and enhancing data protection for minors.

Starmer pledges to close loopholes in social media crackdown - 1

Background to Online Safety Reforms

The UK government's renewed focus on online child safety is a multi-faceted effort, aiming to update legislation and introduce new measures to safeguard minors in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Starmer pledges to close loopholes in social media crackdown - 2

  • Timeline of Action: Announcements of these measures have surfaced in the past 24 hours, with various news outlets reporting on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pledges. The government plans to launch public consultations and implement some changes within months.

  • Key Actors: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is the central figure announcing these reforms. Campaigners, parents, and tech firms are also involved through consultation processes.

  • Inciting Event: The death of Jools Roome, reportedly linked to an internet challenge, has been a catalyst for the "Jools' Law" campaign, pushing for better access to a child's digital data to understand circumstances surrounding their death.

Evidence of Proposed Reforms

Several sources detail the proposed changes and the rationale behind them, indicating a strong governmental push to reform current online safety laws.

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Starmer pledges to close loopholes in social media crackdown - 3

  • Closing Loopholes:

  • Plans include closing loopholes that allow AI chatbots to produce illegal content, such as deepfake nude images.

  • Measures will also address the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) by children to access inappropriate content.

  • Addressing Addictive Design:

  • The government is considering restricting features like "infinite scrolling," often criticized for encouraging addictive behavior.

  • This move is partly in response to concerns about features designed to keep children engaged for longer periods.

  • Data and Age Restrictions:

  • Rules on how children's social media data is stored are slated for revision.

  • Consultations are planned regarding the implementation of minimum age limits for social media access, with Australia's age limit of 16 serving as a potential model.

  • Government Statements:

  • Prime Minister Starmer has stated, "No platform gets a free pass" and that "Britain will be a leader, not a follower, when it comes to online safety."

  • A press release emphasizes immediate action to close loopholes and lay the groundwork for faster responses to evolving technology.

Crackdown on AI Chatbots

A significant aspect of the proposed reforms targets the evolving capabilities of AI chatbots, particularly their potential to generate harmful content.

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Starmer pledges to close loopholes in social media crackdown - 4

  • Illegal Content Generation: The government intends to close loopholes that currently allow AI chatbots to produce illegal material.

  • This includes preventing the creation of deepfake nude images.

  • Protection from Harmful Content: New rules will mandate that chatbots must protect users from illegal and harmful content.

  • The government aims to implement practical guidance on safety settings and dealing with harmful material.

  • Consultation Focus: The public consultation, scheduled for March, will seek opinions on restricting children's access to AI chatbots.

Tackling Addictive Platform Design

Concerns about the design of social media platforms and their potential to foster addiction in children are being addressed.

  • Infinite Scrolling:

  • The government is considering limiting features like "infinite scrolling," which are known to encourage prolonged engagement.

  • This design element is frequently cited as contributing to excessive screen time and potentially addictive behavior in young users.

  • "Doomscrolling": The term "doomscrolling," referring to the act of consuming large quantities of negative online news, is mentioned in the context of features that might be restricted for children.

Data Access and Parental Support

The reforms also aim to provide greater clarity and support for parents, particularly concerning access to their children's data.

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  • Jools' Law Campaign: The push to close loopholes in laws governing children's online data is partly driven by the "Jools' Law" campaign, advocating for better access to a child's digital footprint after a death.

  • Ellen Roome believes her son's death was linked to an internet challenge but could not access his data to confirm.

  • Parental Guidance:

  • The government plans to offer practical guidance to parents and carers.

  • This guidance will include advice on safety settings, conversation prompts for discussing online risks with children, and age-appropriate strategies for handling harmful content.

Expert Analysis and Campaigner Reactions

While the government signals a strong intent to reform online safety laws, feedback from campaigners suggests a desire for even more robust measures.

"With my Government, Britain will be a leader, not a follower, when it comes to online safety." - Prime Minister Keir Starmer

"No platform gets a free pass." - Prime Minister Keir Starmer

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Campaigners have generally welcomed the ambition behind the reforms, but some have urged for even stronger measures to ensure comprehensive child protection online. The proposed reforms signal a potential shift in the UK's approach to online safety, aiming for quicker and more decisive action against digital harms affecting children.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announced crackdown signifies a determined effort to enhance child safety across social media and AI platforms. The proposed measures aim to close critical legal loopholes, address the risks of addictive platform design, and improve data protection for minors.

  • Immediate Actions: The government intends to act within months, with public consultations on various aspects, including AI chatbots and addictive design features, scheduled to commence.

  • Legal Powers: New legal powers are being sought to allow ministers to respond rapidly to emerging threats and findings from ongoing consultations.

  • Future Direction: The reforms are positioned as a step towards making the UK a global leader in online child safety, with potential for further, faster action as technology evolves. The focus on specific issues like AI chatbots and infinite scrolling highlights a proactive approach to contemporary digital challenges.

Sources

Read More: UK Government Plans New Rules for Social Media and Kids

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the UK government doing about social media and children?
The Prime Minister has promised new rules to make social media safer for children. This includes looking at harmful content and how websites are designed.
Q: What kind of harmful content will be addressed?
The new rules will try to stop AI chatbots from making bad pictures, like fake nude images. They will also look at ways to stop children from seeing things that are not good for them.
Q: Will social media sites be changed?
Yes, the government is thinking about changing parts of social media that can make people spend too much time on them, like 'infinite scrolling'. They want to stop designs that can be addictive for children.
Q: Why is this happening now?
There are worries about how the internet affects young people. A campaign called 'Jools' Law' also pushed for these changes after a child's death was linked to an internet challenge.