Proposals from the Conservative Party in the UK seek to raise the minimum age for social media access from 13 to 16 years, aiming to restrict teenagers under 16 from using platforms such as Instagram. This legislative change would form part of an amendment to the Government's Data Bill, scheduled for debate next week, as proposed by Shadow Science and Technology Secretary Alan Mak.
The proposed legislation would prevent social media companies from collecting personal information from users under the new age threshold. Currently, many platforms require users to create an account to view content, and most prohibit posting without such an account. Should the Speaker of Parliament select this amendment for a vote, it is poised to enter formal legislative discussion.
Polling conducted by More in Common reveals significant public support for raising the age limit, with 75% of British adults backing the initiative. Support is particularly pronounced among younger demographics, as 71% of individuals aged 18 to 26—often referred to as Generation Z—align with this viewpoint. The survey also highlights a concerning sentiment among younger people regarding the impact of social media on their lives. Notably, nearly two-thirds of respondents from Generation Z believe that social media causes more harm than good. Additionally, half expressed a desire to have spent less time on their devices during their formative years, while 78% indicated they would prefer to delay their children’s exposure to social media if they were parents.
In reaction to the findings, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, stated, “This research demonstrates that there is widespread support for greater regulation on social media access. Parents, and even young people themselves, are crying out for steps to be taken to better regulate content.” His comments underscore a growing call for enhanced scrutiny and regulation of social media, reflecting a shift in societal attitudes towards the responsibilities of technology companies in safeguarding younger users.
The upcoming parliamentary discussions will likely focus not only on the age limit but also on the measures social media companies should adopt to verify the ages of their users more effectively. As debates continue, the implications of such legislation could shape the landscape of social media usage among younger individuals in the UK.
Source: Noah Wire Services