A private members bill that aims to force social media companies to exclude under 16-year-olds from addictive algorithms and a review of phone sales to teenagers has been significantly watered down due to opposition from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, and the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson.
The Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill, sponsored by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, will now focus on further research rather than immediate regulatory changes. The government will accept the revised bill, which will task the Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, with examining the health impact of smartphone use. The shift reflects the government's reluctance to enact a second Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA).
A recent public opinion poll indicates that 74% support stronger measures banning under 16s smartphone use.
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