Key facts
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan is urging social media companies to adjust algorithms that promote harmful content.
- Khan wants the UK's media regulator, Ofcom, to enforce the Online Safety Act more aggressively.
- London is launching a £5 million program to address the impact of online harms on young people.
- The UK government is preparing to announce further details of a ban on social media use for individuals under 16.
- The proposed ban may include overnight curfews and disabling autoplay for users aged 16 and 17.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for social media companies to proactively change their algorithms that promote violent and misogynistic content. He believes the state should intervene if platforms fail to make these changes and wants the UK's media regulator, Ofcom, to enforce the Online Safety Act more stringently. This push comes as the UK government is expected to release further details on its planned ban for social media use by individuals under 16.
The proposed measures for under-16s are anticipated to include overnight curfews and disabling autoplay features by default for users aged 16 and 17. However, clarity is still needed on the precise definition of social media and which smaller services might be exempt, with tech companies expressing concerns that broad rules could impact educational and gaming platforms.
Khan's office is investing £4.9 million through the Violence Reduction Unit into digital youth work, mentoring for young women, and educational programs aimed at challenging harmful online behavior. This funding will also support local initiatives in six selected London boroughs. Research linked to the unit suggests social media exacerbates youth disputes and increases the visibility of misogynistic content, potentially correlating with violence against women and girls, though direct causation has not been proven.
City Hall is seeking comparable data from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat on how content spreads locally, similar to data provided by X (formerly Twitter). A government-backed study involving over 300 families indicated that teenagers who reduced their social media usage reported improvements in sleep, concentration, and stress levels. However, concerns persist regarding age verification methods, with reports of children using VPNs to bypass checks and the potential for increased collection of personal data. Experts also warn that restricting access could drive activity underground, making investigations into online abuse more difficult.