Top UK official Jonathan Hall KC told LBC’s Nick Ferrari last month: “I think that children have got to stop using social media full stop.”
Hall’s statement came amid the rollout of the Online Safety Act in the UK, legislation seeking the enforcement of age verification checks on potentially harmful content on social media. The rule came into full effect just days ago and many people are not happy.
“I’m afraid the Online Safety Act is not going to be the solution,” Hall told Nick. He criticised the legislation, emphasizing that it is not the solution to children and young people being harmed by the content circulating online.
Hall’s statement is not isolated. Numerous people in the UK are also seeking a complete ban on the use of social media for under-16s.
Some insist on banning social media for under-16s entirely
Under the recently introduced Online Safety Act, platforms in the UK need to take action – including carrying out age checks – in order to stop children seeing illegal and harmful materials circulating online.
The rule’s main purpose is to make the internet safer for people in the UK, especially children. Online platforms are required to pay proper heed to the Act. Platforms must protect children from encountering harmful content, including eating disorders and pornography.
But a number of campaigners in the UK and beyond are seeking stricter rules for tech firms and some insist on banning social media for under-16s entirely. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also calling for stronger protection from the different dangers of social media.
It remains to be seen if the UK is going to update its Online Safety Act to include stricter rules for a safer internet for all.
