Safer Internet Day: Protecting Our Children Online

With a consultation on children’s social media use on the horizon, this year’s Safer Internet Day comes at a crucial time.  

For too long, big tech has been allowed to target children with addictive algorithms, prioritising watch time and engagement over young people’s mental health and wellbeing.  

While the government’s recent bill to ban smartphones in schools makes a start, it doesn’t address the full extent of the problem. Under this plan, children will still be able to access harmful social media content outside of school, leaving parents to judge and manage the risks alone.  

Smartphones are not the problem; the apps they provide access to are. That is why the LibDems are calling for a film-style age rating system for social media platforms. This would see access to sites legally restricted based on the risk they pose to young people, while still allowing them to use the internet for homework and to stay in touch with family.  

Under these proposals, any platforms which use addictive algorithms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, would be automatically banned for under-16s. As well as protecting children from the damaging effects of these technologies, it would also incentivise social media companies to remove harmful algorithmic features from their platforms. 

Until recently, taking drastic action to curb children’s smartphone use and tackle the impunity of tech giants has seemed impossible. However, the recent amendments to the Children’s Health and Wellbeing bill are proof that change is possible.  

I will keep pressing for the necessary restrictions to be brought in to protect our children online, whilst recognising the realities of the world they’re growing up in.