UK Regulators Demand Stronger Social Media Child Safety Measures
The debate around social media child safety is growing in the United Kingdom. Regulators now want tech companies to strengthen protections for young users.
Two regulators, Ofcom and Information Commissioner’s Office, have urged platforms to act quickly. They sent letters to major companies asking them to improve safeguards for children online. The request follows a decision by lawmakers to reject a blanket ban on social media for users under 16. Instead, the government launched a public consultation. Officials want to gather opinions from parents and young people before taking further steps.
Platforms Urged to Improve Age Verification
Regulators want stronger age checks across popular platforms. These include Meta services such as Facebook and Instagram. Other platforms mentioned include TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.
According to regulators, many apps still rely on self-reported ages. However, children can easily bypass this system. Therefore, officials recommend stronger verification methods.
Suggested solutions include facial age estimation, digital ID verification, and one-time photo matching.
These technologies could stop underage users
From accessing restricted services. Regulators also want platforms to block strangers from contacting minors. In addition, they call for safer content recommendations for teenagers. Companies must report their progress by April 30. Regulators say the industry must act quickly because children continue to face online risks. The discussion is also spreading across Europe. Countries such as Spain, France, and Denmark are exploring tighter rules for teen social media use. Meanwhile, Australia already introduced a nationwide ban for under-16 users last year. As a result, the global debate over protecting children online continues to intensify.
