UK and US join forces to improve children’s online safety 

News 

The new agreement creates a joint working group to address the risks posed by children’s interactions with social media and emerging technologies 

The UK and US have signed a new agreement aimed at improving online safety for children, led by UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The agreement will create a joint working group to research and develop ways to protect children more effectively in the digital world. 

The working group will focus on making tech companies whose products impact children more transparent and giving researchers access to data while protecting privacy. This will help governments and regulatory bodies better understand the risks and benefits of social media and new technologies such as generative AI. 

“The online world brings incredible benefits for young people, enriching their education and social lives. But these experiences must take place in an environment which has safety baked in from the outset, not as an afterthought,” said Peter Kyle in a press release. 

“The digital world has no borders and working with our international partners like the US – one of our closest allies and home to the biggest tech firms – is essential. This joint statement will turn our historic partnership towards delivering a safer online world for our next generation,” he continued. 

The joint effort builds on the work already happening in both countries to integrate child safety into technology. The UK’s Online Safety Act requires platforms to protect children and remove harmful content, while the US is advancing child safety through its Kids Online Health and Safety Taskforce. 

“As more children across the US and around the globe have access to online platforms for online learning and social media, there is also increased risk to this exposure. That is why we are taking the necessary steps in the United States, and with our UK partners, to protect children’s privacy, safety, and mental health,” said Gina Raimondo. 

Both countries are also leading in the global “safety tech” sector, with related UK companies contributing £600 million to the economy last year, behind only the US.  

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