White House urges UK not to ban social media for under-16s
Summary
The White House has asked the UK not to ban social media use for children under 16. Instead, the US government suggests giving parents more control over their kids’ online experience to protect privacy and safety.Key Facts
- The White House opposes strict government bans on social media for under-16s, calling them too harsh on US tech companies.
- US officials say age-checking technology does not work well for younger teens aged 13 to 16.
- President Donald Trump’s administration prefers tools for parents to manage privacy settings rather than outright bans.
- The UK plans to ban “harmful” social media apps for under-16s and limit chats with strangers on gaming platforms.
- The UK’s Online Safety Act has caused tension with the US due to concerns over free speech and impact on US tech firms.
- Some exemptions might be made for educational apps like YouTube Kids.
- Australia already bans social media use for under-16s, blocking popular apps like TikTok and Instagram.
- Meta (Facebook’s parent company) is legally challenging parts of the UK’s Online Safety Act, including fees and fines.
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