UK: Plans for Social Media Ban for Under-18s

The UK’s online safety regulator, Ofcom, has published draft guidelines in line with the Online Safety Act revealing that a social media ban for under-18s could come into place in 2025.

Following the introduction of the Online Safety Act last year, UK-based technology companies will need to comply with stricter online safety rules starting 2025.

As a result, Ofcom’s newly released guidelines outline measures to protect children from the negative impact of social media use. To prevent this, technology companies are expected to show a strong commitment to safety. This includes algorithm modification to minimize minors’ exposure to harmful content.

Additionally, the UK’s safety watchdog outlines ‘cyber-flashing’, or sending unsolicited sexual images online, as a new offence. Another is sharing ‘deepfake’ pornography, where AI tools are used to include a likeness of someone in pornographic content without their consent. Moreover, bereaved parents will be able to access information about their children from tech companies more easily.

Through increased enforcement powers, Ofcom will be able to raise the minimum age of any platform they find in breach of these rules to 18.

In response, some families of children whose deaths are linked to social media criticize the delay in introducing the new rules. While they argue the rules do not go far enough, some companies have responded by highlighting their focus on safety and existing parental controls.

Meanwhile, some experts believe experts believe these guidelines will be difficult to enforce, while other people question their impact on privacy and free speech.

Learn more about Ofcom’s latest draft guidelines here.