BBC News
Critics of major technology companies have likened the current situation to a pivotal moment in social media history, comparable to the "big tobacco moment."
The recent jury verdict in Los Angeles, which found that Google and Meta purposely designed addictive social media platforms, is perceived as a significant turning point. This ruling has prompted countries worldwide to reassess their regulatory frameworks concerning social media, particularly with respect to protecting young users.
Australia has already instituted measures to limit access to social media for minors, and other nations are contemplating similar regulations.
In the UK, the government is actively soliciting public input about its next steps in this evolving landscape.
Initiated earlier this month, the consultation highlights the pressing challenge faced by the government and society at large. It states, "Social media use among children and adolescents is almost universal. The proportion of children with social media profiles has increased significantly in the last five years. We must ensure children can engage with the online world safely."
The core inquiry is straightforward: how can this be accomplished? The consultation opens with a pivotal question regarding the potential establishment of a minimum age for social media access. If deemed a viable option, the discussion turns to what the appropriate age should be.
Mark Lanier, the plaintiff's attorney in the US case, addressed the media in front of the Los Angeles Superior Court following the jury's ruling against Meta and YouTube.
In swift response to the verdict, the UK government announced that its consultation would examine the possibility of banning social media for individuals under 16, in addition to addressing the issue of "addictive design features." They concluded, "When it comes to children's safety, nothing is off the table and we will set out our plans in the summer."
The consultation period is set to conclude at the end of May, with the government expected to announce its findings before the end of July.
There is a notable sentiment among ministers that this court case provides an opportunity to argue for more stringent regulations, especially concerning child safety.
However, it is worth noting that opposition politicians are currently leading the charge in advocating for a ban on access to social media for those under 16.
Recently, the House of Lords has once again challenged the government by endorsing proposals for such a ban. During a debate on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, peers voted 266 to 141—yielding a notable majority of 125 votes—supporting amendments introduced by Conservative former schools minister, Lord Nash.
This marks the second instance in which the Lords have countered the government's position on this matter.
Earlier this month, Members of Parliament rejected the proposed amendment, but Lords persisted, aiming to provide ministers with a year to determine which social media platforms should be restricted for individuals under 16.
The outcome has resulted in a standoff regarding the proposed regulation.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott remarked, "Peers have once again done the right thing and backed a ban on social media for under 16s by a huge margin. It is disappointing that Labour was the only party not to support it. Labour have once again chosen delay over action, with yet another consultation. This falls well short of the scale of the problem and leaves the door open to weak and ineffective measures."
The Prime Minister's stance on the issue is unambiguous. He expressed on Substack last month that social media "has become something that is quietly harming our children" and has called for measures to "crack down on the addictive elements… the never-ending scrolling, that keeps our children hooked on their screens for hours, and stop kids getting around age limits."
The critical question remains: how far is he willing to go in implementing changes? What constitutes an adequate response, and what might be seen as excessive?
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