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Internet: Children

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 19 March 2026UIN 115681

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to Answer of 17 February 2026 to Question 111407, whether the consultation will include policy proposals relating to the visibility of children’s a) profile images and b) public biographical information.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

Our landmark consultation on measures to protect children and enrich their online wellbeing launched on 2nd March. This is open to the public, industry and civil society to respond to. We have also published parent and child versions to ensure all voices are reflected.

Measures in the consultation include implementing a minimum age to access certain social media and gaming platforms and limiting children’s access to ‘risky’ functionalities like livestreaming, location sharing and connecting with strangers. Respondents have the opportunity to list any other features they think should be age-restricted, which could include children’s public profile images and biographical information.

The consultation closes on 26 May. We will respond by the summer.

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