Social media: end self regulation, say MPs in report on children’s health

Social media companies must be subject to a formal legal duty of care to help protect young people’s health and wellbeing, a group of MPs has concluded.1

The Science and Technology Committee called on the UK government to create a comprehensive regulatory framework clearly setting out the responsibilities of social media companies towards their users.

In a report on the impact of social media and screen use on young people’s health the committee also called for a regulator to be appointed by the end of October 2019 to provide guidance on how to spot and minimise harms, monitor compliance with a code of practice, and take enforcement action when necessary. The regulator must be backed by a strong sanctions regime, the committee said.