Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Victoria Collins (Liberal Democrat), on Wednesday, 2 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 41 members in total.

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Protecting children from data exploitation

That this House believes that social media platforms and online services must be designed with children’s safety in mind; notes that under current UK law, children as young as 13 can have their personal data collected, processed, and used for targeted advertising and algorithm-driven content; further notes that the majority of EU Member States set 16 as the minimum age for personal data processing; further believes that younger users are particularly vulnerable to manipulation by addictive platform design and invasive data collection practices; also notes that algorithms fuelled by children’s personal data can lead to addictive engagement loops, exposure to harmful content, and increased risks of online exploitation; and calls on the Government to set the UK’s digital age of consent for data processing at 16, in line with many other European jurisdictions, ensuring that social media platforms and other online services prioritise children’s rights, safety, and wellbeing by default.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

1052 

Session

2024-26

Other sponsors

Max Wilkinson

Steff Aquarone

Caroline Voaden

Munira Wilson

Danny Chambers

Subjects

Children Data protection Internet Safety

Link

View this Early day motion on edm.parliament.uk