Member

Our amendments build on the foundation provided by the noble Lord, Lord Nash, while addressing these critical flaws. They would provide ready-made answers to many of the questions the Government’s promised consultation will raise about minimum ages, age verification, addictive design features and how to ensure that platforms take responsibility for child safety. We would retain the default minimum age of 16. Crucially, that would remain the law for every platform unless and until it proves against rigorous criteria that it is safe enough to merit a lower age rating. However, and this is the crucial improvement, platforms could be granted exemptions if—and only if—they can demonstrate to Ofcom and the Children’s Commissioner that they do not present a risk of harm.