Protecting children from data exploitation
Tabled 1 June 2026 by Victoria Collins
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.
Signatories (26)
- Victoria Collins Sponsor
- Dr Danny Chambers
- Dr Al Pinkerton
- Mr Joshua Reynolds
- Mr Will Forster
- Jess Brown-Fuller
- Wendy Chamberlain
- Wera Hobhouse
- Jamie Stone
- Andrew George
- Ian Sollom
- Steve Darling
- Helen Morgan
- Gideon Amos
- Pippa Heylings
- Mr Lee Dillon
- David Chadwick
- Liz Jarvis
- Dr Roz Savage
- Clive Jones
- Sarah Dyke
- Freddie van Mierlo
- Martin Wrigley
- Christine Jardine
- Monica Harding
- Alex Brewer