UK and US set up task force to improve online safety for children By Reuters

By Martin Coulter

LONDON (Reuters) – The United States and Britain unveiled a joint working group on Thursday to look at ways to improve children’s online safety.

At the launch, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and UK Science and Technology Minister Peter Kyle issued a statement urging tech platforms to go “further and faster” to protect children.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Hugely popular social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat are already under increasing scrutiny over their impact on children. This, the first transatlantic government scheme of its kind, will only increase that focus.

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned last year that young people who use social media risk body image problems, disordered eating, poor sleep quality and low self-esteem, especially among teenage girls.

According to figures published by the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Young Children), Snapchat accounted for 43% of UK cases where social media was used to share indecent images of children.

The Meta platforms – Facebook (NASDAQ: ), Instagram and WhatsApp – were used in 33% of child abuse crimes on social media, according to NSPCC research.

Social media companies including Snap and Meta have pledged to work with officials to protect young users and say they have introduced new tools designed to protect teenagers online, including parental control features.

CONTEXT

Lawmakers in the US and UK have worked to introduce new restrictions on online platforms in recent years.

In the US, two bills – the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and the Children’s Online Safety Act, nicknamed COPPA 2.0 and KOSA – have passed the Senate but await votes in the House of Representatives.

In the UK, the Online Safety Act is due to come into force before the end of 2024. Under the law, social media companies must prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content, including pornography, by enforcing age limits and privacy measures. age verification.

Companies that do not comply could face fines of up to 18 million pounds ($22.3 million) or 10 percent of annual global turnover, according to British law.

KEY QUOTE

“The digital world has no borders and working with our international partners like the US – one of our closest allies and home to the biggest technology firms – is essential,” said Kyle.