tech
March 12, 2026
Social media giants urged to tighten child safety after UK rejects blanket ban for teens
Social media firms need to use better age verification technologies to keep children off their platforms, the U.K.'s Information Commissioner's Office said.
TL;DR
- UK regulators Ofcom and ICO are demanding stricter child safety measures from social media companies.
- Lawmakers rejected a proposal for a blanket social media ban for users under 16.
- Platforms are urged to implement robust age verification, prevent stranger contact, ensure safer content, and cease product testing on children.
- Regulators advocate for technologies like facial age estimation and digital ID over self-declaration for age verification.
- Social media companies have faced similar pressures and regulatory actions in other European countries and Australia.
- Legal challenges are underway against Meta and Alphabet concerning platform design and addiction, with key figures testifying.
- Recent regulatory actions include an investigation into X (formerly Twitter) and a fine against Reddit for data processing violations.
- Social media companies like Meta and TikTok state they are already implementing some requested age verification and safety measures.
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