Reforming Digital Age of Consent to Protect Children Online
The proposed bill has been watered down, with key provisions removed or altered to gain government support. The revised legislation now focuses on providing guidance for parents and the education secretary to research the impact of social media on children. The bill's lead author, Labour MP Josh MacAlister, says the changes are necessary to make progress on the issue at every possible opportunity.
- The watering down of this bill highlights the complex interplay between government, industry, and civil society in shaping digital policies that affect our most vulnerable populations, particularly children.
- What role will future research and evidence-based policy-making play in ensuring that digital age of consent is raised to a level that effectively balances individual freedoms with protection from exploitation?