Sites ‘are neglecting their duty of care’

WEB GIANTS have a ‘duty of care’ and must stop making their social media platforms addictive to young children, Dame Sally said yesterday.

England’s chief medical officer welcomed the Government’s plans to make firms take responsibility – and suggested they should put proper age verification in place to ensure under-13s cannot set up accounts.

Ministers are preparing to publish a white paper within weeks setting out legislation that could make the firms more accountable for the lack of adequate checks.

Millions of pre-teens have set up Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter profiles simply by entering a false birth date or ticking a box.

Firms should guarantee children only see adverts appropriate for their age, and send them messages of support if they search for services aimed at adults, Dame Sally said.

Her report also called on the tech giants to crack down on vile content so harmful behaviour such as self-harm is not normalised.

The trove of self-harm posts on social media was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year follorwing the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life after viewing images on Instagram that glamorised self-harm.

The Government has since said it will force social media firms to sign a code of conduct protecting young and vulnerable users.

Last night, Dame Sally backed the proposed legislation, but also called on tech firms to sign up to a voluntary code of conduct until the new laws come into force.

She added that firms selling computers, smartphones and other devices should ensure their gadgets come with ‘child safety features’ switched on as standard.

Her report said: ‘Our children have a right to be safe and the technology industry have a duty of care. It is imperative that the technology industry proactively acts in the interests of users.’

‘Crack down on vile content’