In a joint effort to address growing concerns about children’s internet safety, the US and UK have established a joint task force focused on this crucial issue. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle announced the initiative on Thursday and called on tech platforms to step up their efforts to protect young users.
The formation of this task force marks the first transatlantic government initiative to strengthen the online protection of children. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the popularity of social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, which have increasingly come under scrutiny for their potentially negative effects on young people.
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted the importance of the initiative and had previously noted that social media poses a mental health risk to young users, including issues related to body image, eating disorders, quality sleep and self-esteem, especially among young girls.
Statistics released by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Young Children (NSPCC) reveal worrying trends. Snapchat was involved in 43% of cases in the UK involving the distribution of indecent images of children on social media. Metaplatforms, which include Facebook (NASDAQ: ), Instagram and WhatsApp, were linked to 33% of child abuse crimes on social media, according to NSPCC research.
In response to these challenges, social media companies such as Snap and Meta have pledged to work with authorities to protect young users. They have introduced new features aimed at improving online safety, including parental control tools.
Legislative efforts are also underway in both countries to strengthen the regulation of online platforms. In the United States, the Senate passed the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act and the Kids Online Safety Act, known as COPPA 2.0 and KOSA, respectively, which await a vote in the House of Representatives.
The UK is preparing to implement its online security law by the end of 2024. The legislation requires social media companies to put in place measures to prevent children from accessing harmful content, such as enforcing age limits and age verification. Companies that fail to comply with these rules can face significant penalties, including fines of up to £18 million ($22.3 million) or 10% of their global annual turnover.
Minister Peter Kyle highlighted the need for international cooperation to address children’s online safety, saying: “The digital world has no borders and working with our international partners like the US – one of our closest allies and the headquarters of the biggest technology companies – is essential. ” This statement highlights the global nature of the digital landscape and the importance of a collaborative effort to protect the most vulnerable users.
Reuters contributed to this article.
This article was generated and translated using artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor. For more information, see our T&Cs.
