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Data Protection: Age of Consent

Asked by Sorcha EastwoodAllianceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 10 June 2025UIN 55592

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is for his Department's examination of the digital age of consent.

Answered by Chris Bryant

We have added measures to the Data (Use and Access) Bill to strengthen data protection standards for children. Any changes to the age of digital consent would require public consultation.

We continue to consider further options for protecting children online and commissioned a feasibility study to further explore the impact of smartphones and social media use on children’s wellbeing to help inform our next steps. We do not have a timetable for completing this work.

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