Childline: Social media platforms, devices and AI tools safe for children
The impact of social media on children and young people has been a key topic of discussion in the media and households across the world with rising concern about the negative effect it is having.
Last year Childline delivered more than 3,300 counselling sessions about online-related issues – these included grooming, sexual extortion, exposure to dangerous and disturbing material, inappropriate artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and bullying.
There has been much talk about banning social media for under 16s, particularly following the decision by the Australian Government to go down this route. And now the UK Government is consulting on what its plans should be to help protect children and young people when they go online.
It is clear that the status quo – where children and young people are left using online spaces which leave them exposed to addictive and harmful content – can’t continue. But is an outright ban the right answer?
The NSPCC believes there are other practical alternatives which could deliver real, long-term protection and not just a temporary fix.
If tech companies focused on child safety rather than growth and engagement and were forced to keep anyone aged 13 and under off social media, that would immediately provide protection for 2.5 million children.
Young people contact us every day with concerns about experiences they have had online, and as things stand, we can’t see that shifting any time soon.
But things can change. We would like to see the full force of the law being used to make social media platforms, devices and AI tools safe for children, compelling tech companies to use technology that can stop the creation, sharing and viewing of illegal images and other media.
Likewise, we believe children’s devices should come with technology that prevents nude or sexual images from being created, shared, or viewed. This technology exists now and could be embedded into the devices our children are using.
If it is not possible to achieve these aims, then a social media ban would be better than nothing. But our hope is that the Government will be more ambitious for the safety of our children and young people, who tell us there are huge benefits from being online, as well as dangers.
Adults who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or go to www.childline.org.uk.