PA Media/dpa
London
The UK and the United States have pledged to work together more closely on the subject of child online safety after issuing their first joint statement on the issue.
As part of the new commitment, the UK and US governments have agreed to set up and launch a new joint working group on the topic, which will share expertise and evidence.
The joint statement outlines both countries’ commitment to ensuring technology can be harnessed for the benefit of society, but also ensuring social media firms follow their responsibilities to respect human rights and deliver safe experiences, in particular for children.
The UK has already passed the Online Safety Act, which is expected to begin taking effect next year, and will place duties on platforms to protect children’s safety and put in place measures to mitigate risk while also proactively finding and removing illegal material.
On the new joint statement with the US, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The online world brings incredible benefits for young people, enriching their education and social lives.”
