Tech companies have gone ‘too far’ in prioritising commercial instincts – peer

A former Tory minister said tech companies had “gone too far in prioritizing their commercial instincts”; It’s the second time his colleagues have supported a social media ban on under-16s.

It comes after a jury in Los Angeles found Meta, which owns Google and Facebook, deliberately designed addictive products that harmed a 20-year-old’s mental health.

Lord Nash, who proposed the age limit as part of the Children’s Welfare and Schools Bill, said “technicians” were taking a “polite approach” to content that harms children.

The House of Lords voted 266 to 141 on Wednesday, with a majority of 125 in favor of the amendment.

This is the second time there has been a push to ban under-16s from social media, after MPs voted against it earlier this month.

The House of Commons instead agreed to give the Government wider and more flexible power.

Addressing the House of Lords, Lord Nash said: “I have been a director of technology companies in California.

“Californian techies are some of the most talented, innovative, entrepreneurial, wealthy and job creators in the world.

“But I think they’ve gone too far in prioritizing their commercial instincts with the cavalier approach they’ve taken to dealing with harmful online content aimed at our children, and we need to act really effectively now.

“I don’t think I need to spend too much time talking about the clear evidence and causal link between social media and the harm being done to our children.

“But I was horrified to hear (Technology Minister) Liz Kendall say on the radio a few weeks ago that there was no proven causal link. All I can say is, where is it?”

He said he had “no faith in the outcome of the consultation” carried out to help ministers decide how to reduce online harms.

Lord Nash became emotional as he paid tribute to bereaved parents who campaigned for changes to the law following the death of their children.

More than 20 family members were seated in the gallery, including George and Areti Nicolaou, holding a photo of their son Christoforos, who committed suicide after joining an online forum.

Paediatrician and peer Baroness Cass said the Government had “failed to understand the impact of social media on our children”.

He added: “The government is approaching social media from a very, very narrow perspective.

“They fixate on the psychological aspects of the incident, which are hugely important, but fail to look at the broader dimensions and direct harms that are being repeated over and over again, both in schools, clinics and by the families now sitting in the gallery.

“And to continue to make headlines with these kinds of cheap efforts by saying we are piloting something that will not give us any information is disrespectful to these families and the trauma inflicted on the people directly harmed.”

The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced a six-week pilot program in which 300 young people aged 13 to 17 will try different restrictions on social media use to see the impact on their school work, sleep and family life.

Children’s rights campaigner and peer Baroness Kidron spoke in support of Lord Nash’s amendment, telling the upper house: “Children are being harmed in real time while we consult and we cannot afford to wait.”

Citing the case in California, Liverpool crossbencher Lord Russell suggested the House of Lords should act as the UK’s jury on social media.

“We have heard of these companies committing malice and fraud towards many of our children and indeed their unfortunate parents,” he said.

“We, as jury members, must deliberate today and make a decision that will resonate.”

Effra Technology Minister Baroness Lloyd previously said: “Many noble Lords have stated that they do not support the under-16 ban but support this amendment to push the Government to do more. I can reassure the House that the Government will do more.”

He added: “We know many people support a social media ban on under-16s, but other respected voices are concerned this is not the right approach. That’s why consulting the Government is the responsible way forward.”

“This consultation seeks views on areas raised in (Lord Nash’s) amendment and beyond, including the harms of gaming and AI chatbots. We have already received over 30,000 responses from experts, parents and young people.”