The U.K. has warned that it should strengthen age checks and control algorithms to protect child users on big tech platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Otherwise, it is poised to block the use of minors themselves.
According to the BBC on the 8th (local time), the UK’s telecommunications media regulator Ofcom announced the administrative guidelines for child safety for the enforcement of the Online Safety Act enacted in October last year.
The main point of each platform is to strengthen user age verification to prevent children from seeing harmful content related to suicide, self-harm, pornography, and eating disorders. Algorithms should be reorganized to strengthen user identification and block or reduce harmful content in children’s personalized feeds. Ofcom said that if it violates this, stronger measures can be taken, such as disclosing the company’s name and blocking the use of minors themselves.
“Tech companies should control aggressive algorithms that push harmful content into children’s personalized feeds and introduce age checks to have an age-appropriate experience,” said Melanie Dos, CEO of Ofcom. “This measure is far beyond the current industry standards,” she said. “If the law is fully enforced, we will exercise our power to hold the platform accountable.”
Ofcom plans to finalize the guidelines within a year after collecting opinions by July 17. The Online Safety Act also gives Ofcom the authority to impose fines and pursue criminal penalties.
The move came amid growing criticism that teenagers’ exposure to harmful content through SNS is increasing and that dangerous content has an adverse effect on youth’s physical and mental health. In particular, voices calling for alarm have grown in the U.K. in 2022, when a teenager died during the so-called “Frustration Challenge.”
However, there is a problem with how to check the age on the platform. Minors can trick their age to sign up. There is also a problem that freedom of expression can be restricted. The government and businesses should strive to protect children without opposition from platform users.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
