- UK confirms no plans to replicate Australia’s social media ban
- But the Culture Secretary said the Government might 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 force, 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 raised concerns about enforceability and the risk that banning access could “push young people to other places” online.
But the door is not completely closed. In another appearance on BBC Breakfast, Nandy admitted the Government would “definitely consider it”, provided there was evidence it works and young people trusted the process.
Is age-appropriate content the right approach?
The UK made headlines earlier this year when it began enforcing the age verification provisions of its online safety legislation.
Under these rules, platforms must ensure users are over 18 before granting 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 decision sparked backlash. Despite agreeing on the importance of protecting children online, privacy experts and digital rights advocates have sharply criticized mandatory age checks, calling them a dangerous “privacy compromise.”
These privacy concerns have led many Brits to turn to the best VPNs to bypass age checks. 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 British officials are wondering whether Australia’s extensive legislation might have an “enforceability” problem.
Will banning teenagers completely from social media be the next step in the UK? Britain’s 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 Online Safety (APPG), said: “The principle is a fantastic thing, and if it is successful and implemented well, I hope the Government will look at it. »
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