UK Proposes Prison Sentences for Tech Executives Failing to Protect Children Online

New regulations will enforce strict penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for social media companies that neglect child safety measures.

The UK government plans to introduce stringent rules requiring social media companies to safeguard minors from harmful content, including bullying, violence, and dangerous trends.
Technology Minister Peter Kyle has announced potential penalties ranging from hefty fines to imprisonment for non-compliance with child protection standards.
Adult-only apps will need to implement robust age verification systems using credit cards or identification to prevent underage access.
The media regulatory authority Ofcom is expected to release detailed guidelines on these measures in January 2025.
Despite these new measures, the UK government has ruled out implementing a blanket social media ban for users under 16, as seen in Australia's recent policies.