Age at which social media firms can mine users’ data could be raised from 13 to 16

THE “internet adulthood age” could be raised from 13 to 16 under new proposals to protect kids from addictive social media features.

Labour MP Josh MacAlister is leading calls to shield under-16s from “addictive by-design” tricks used by tech giants to keep them glued to their screens.

His private member’s Bill would make it harder for companies to exploit under-16s’ data to fuel algorithms, while also forcing ministers to review phone sales to teens, including potential safeguards on devices for youngsters.

Mr MacAlister told the BBC: “I want us to raise the age at which a child is able to give their permission for data-sharing from 13 to 16.

“That would have the effect of making it much harder for tech companies to use children’s data to feed algorithms that then feed stuff back to children that is very addictive.”

While Australia is moving towards banning under-16s from social media, Mr MacAlister said his proposal would not amount to a full ban.

He explained: “I am putting forward a number of measures that would make it much less addictive for children using smartphone and social media under the age of 16, and shift their time away from the 21 hours on average that a 12-year-old is spending a week on a smartphone, so it improves their mental health, their sleep, and their learning.”

Downing Street yesterday said the Government will set out its position on the Bill “in due course” .

The Safer Phones Bill, which is backed by the former Tory education secretary Kit Malthouse and the new chair of the education select committee Helen Hayes, will be debated in Parliament for the first time in January.

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