MPs reject social media ban for under-16s Tech MPs have voted down a proposal to ban under-16s from using social media, after toying with the idea of following Australia’s nationwide law. The amendment, tabled by Conservatives to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill, was defeated in the House of Commons on Monday evening, by 307 votes to 173. The measure had already been [...]
Trump official warns UK on ‘Russia-style’ X ban after Grok row Politics A key Trump administration official has sent the UK a firm warning following speculation Elon Musk’s X platform may face a ban after a scandal around AI-generated images. Sarah Rogers, under-secretary for public diplomacy at the US State Department, issued a series of messages criticising the UK on the rumoured ban. Rogers said the UK [...]
Hinge: the dating app that wants you to log off Tech At a time when most technology platforms are doing everything they can to keep you scrolling, Hinge has built its strategy around doing precisely the opposite: disappearing from your phone altogether. Relaunched in its current form back in 2016 and now under the umbrella of Match Group, Hinge has positioned itself as the antidote to [...]
Rules to keep children safe online finalised by Ofcom April 24, 2025 Ofcom has issued the final safety codes requiring online platforms to implement over 40 protective measures for users under the age of 18 by July. These include tools to verify user age, block underage access to adult content, and remove harmful material linked to self harm, suicide, and eating disorders. Platforms that fail to comply [...]
The Debate: Should we ban smartphones for children? May 7, 2024 Most people agree that children are spending too much time on smartphones. But what should the government do about it - if anything?
Fortnite fined over £420m as video game makers face regulation December 20, 2022 Makers of videogame Fortnite have been fined a record $520m (£428m) by the US’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The fine is a two part penalty for Epic Games, the video game company behind Fortnite. The company was fined for tricking players into making in-game purchases and for storing children’s data without parental consent. The penalty [...]