LONDON, – Britain on Tuesday encouraged parents to talk to their children about harmful content they may be exposed to online as the government weighs the pros and cons of an Australian-style ban on social media for under-16s.
The UK asks parents to question their children about toxic online contentCiting research that shows half of parents don’t talk to their children about harmful content, the government said the “You Won’t Know Until You Ask” campaign will give them the support and advice they need to start the conversation.
Technology Minister Liz Kendall said she knows many parents are concerned about what their children see and do online.
“We are determined to give children the childhood they deserve and prepare them for the future,” he said.
“That’s why we’re supporting parents with this campaign and launching a consultation on how young people can survive and thrive in the age of social media.”
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The campaign will help parents navigate safety settings on social media platforms and start conversations on issues such as misinformation and harmful content, the government said. It will be supported by TV ads and content on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, primarily in Yorkshire, northern England and the Midlands, the government said.
The campaign comes weeks after the government said it was ready to take stronger measures to protect children online, including an Australian-style social media ban for children under 16.
Ministers will visit Australia, which imposed the ban in December, to look at their approach. Kendall said Britain was weighing the same age threshold as Australia.
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Spain, Greece, France, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have also said in recent weeks that they are considering similar restrictions as attitudes against the technology, which some say is designed to be addictive, harden.
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